§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of granting mandatory rate relief to all sports and leisure facilities in line with that granted to community amateur sports clubs. [174051]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI have been asked to reply. There was never any intention to grant mandatory rate relief to all sports and leisure facilities. The relief is targeted at community based sporting activities. Many premises defined on the rating list as "sports clubs" and "leisure facilities" are commercial profit- making companies. There would be no reason to offer relief to commercial companies to be funded by the general taxpayer.