HC Deb 05 March 2002 vol 381 cc263-4W
Mr. Swire

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 13 February 2002,Official Report, column 409W, on sports clubs, if she will list those sports representative bodies which provided evidence that the majority of local authorities grant 100 per cent. rate relief. [39973]

Mr. Caborn

In my answer of 17 January 2002,Official Report, column 472–73W, to the hon. Member, stated that the majority of local authorities grant rate relief of up to 100 per cent. to local amateur sports clubs.

That was not intended to imply that the majority of such clubs receive rate relief at 100 per cent.—simply that the majority of local authorities grant some measure of discretionary relief, and that the majority of amateur clubs benefit from this in some degree.

That statement was based on informal discussions with Sport England and the Central Council for Physical Recreation. As I informed the hon. Member in my answer of 13 February, no detailed figures exist.