Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Howard of Rising (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 2 March 2010.

Sport: Clubs

Question: If the Minister is so keen on improving sport in this country, rather than giving central assistance, could he consider removing some of the many impediments that sports clubs encounter? I declare an interest as chairman of the National Playing Fields Association.

Answer: My Lords, the noble Lord would do well to identify these impediments, and then I might indicate how the Government are tackling them. If one of the impediments is the threat from increased water charging, he will know that last year we intervened to ensure that clubs had some defence against it in areas where the costs were considered to be extravagantly high. He will also know that in the Flood and Water Management Bill we intend to continue those concessions for sports clubs.

Secondary information