Written question asked by Phyllis Starkey (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 September 2004. It was answered by Richard Caborn (Labour) on Monday, 13 September 2004 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what procedures are in place to prevent Supporters Direct's allocation of public funds being influenced by the club interests of current members.

Answer: Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what procedures are in place to prevent Supporters Direct's allocation of public funds being influenced by the club interests of current members. [188064] Mr. Caborn: Supporters Direct is an Industrial and Provident Society and has rules approved by and registered at the Financial Services Authority. Those rules were drafted by the official lawyers to the Co- operative Movement. Its members are the existing supporters' trusts. Membership of Supporters Direct is subject to the provisions in its rules and the policy on membership agreed by the Board of Supporters Direct. The funding it receives from Sport England and Sport Scotland respectively is related to agreed business plans, and is managed according to policy laid down by the Board of Supporters Direct, which is elected by the members. As a body in receipt of public funding, the Board have a clear conflict of interest policy, and a register of board members' interests is maintained. Members with an interest in a particular issue do not debate or vote on the issue, and staff with an interest do not undertake to work on it.

Secondary information