§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government have concerning charitable status for sports clubs. [37883]
§ Mr. CabornThe Charity Commission announced in November 2001 that certain local amateur sports clubs would be eligible to apply for charitable status on the grounds that such clubs promote healthy recreation. I have recently met the commission's chairman to discuss how best to encourage clubs to apply for charitable status, and to ensure that the widest possible range of sports are eligible. In the light of that meeting, I consider that charitable status will offer a great deal to many clubs.
That meeting followed detailed discussions with sport and other interested parties since the publication of the Treasury's consultation document, "Promoting Sport in 1110W the Community", on 30 November. These discussions included a consideration of the alternative, non-charitable, proposals included in the Treasury document, and I intend to raise the results of that consideration with Treasury Ministers shortly.