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World Cup 2006 Bid

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what requests were received by his Department regarding the use of Ministry of Defence vehicles during the bid to host the 2006 World Cup; [130]

(2) what use was made, and at what cost to public funds, of Ministry of Defence vehicles during the bid to host the 2006 World Cup. [129]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 25 June 2001]: In mid-1999, the Ministry of Defence received a request from the FA World Cup 2006 Campaign Manager for the use of 32 (The Royal) Squadron aircraft to transport members of the FIFA Inspection Delegation Team for World Cup 2006 to various football grounds and airfields during their inspection of facilities, scheduled for October 1999.

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Between 22 October 1999 and 25 October 1999, members of the FIFA Inspection Delegation Team for World Cup 2006 used aircraft of 32 (The Royal) Squadron for approximately 19 hours at a cost of £22,957.

Similarly, between 24 April 2000 and 10 June 2000, members of the FIFA Executive Committee used aircraft of 32 (The Royal) Squadron for approximately 17 hours at a cost of £60,879.

In each case, the costs were initially met by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which was subsequently reimbursed in full by the Football Association Campaign Team. There was therefore no cost incurred by public funds, save minimal invoicing and administrative costs.

TREASURY

Independent Insurance Company

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what discussions his Department has had with the Financial Services Authority during the past year about the publication of negative levels of cash flow and rising profits at Independent Insurance Company; [403]

(2) what discussions the Financial Services Authority has had with KPMG about (a) their role as external auditors of Independent Insurance Company and (b) their assessment of the adequacy of Independent Insurance Company's reserves; [402]

(3) if he will make a statement on the Serious Fraud Office's investigation into the Independent Insurance Company; [401]

(4) what regulations he proposes to instigate through the Financial Services Authority to ensure that all claims against an insurance company are properly entered into the company's accounting system; [420]

(5) on what dates officials from the Financial Services Authority met Mr. Michael Bright in his capacity as chief executive of Independent Insurance Company during the past 12 months; and what matters were discussed. [404]

Ruth Kelly: I understand that, following a referral on 18 June 2001 by the Financial Services Authority, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office has decided to investigate the affairs of the Independent Insurance Company Ltd.

It would be inappropriate for me to comment while there is an investigation in progress.

Company Cars

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the taxation of company cars; and what recent assessment he has made of the impact of taxation on company car use. [31]

Mr. Boateng: The new CO ₂ emissions-based system of company car tax comes into effect from April 2002. It has been the subject of extensive consultation since proposals were first announced in Budget 1999. The Inland Revenue has received few recent representations.

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The new system will provide an incentive to use cleaner cars. Extensive evaluation is planned through analysis of Inland Revenue data and by surveys of employers and employees.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Gambling Legislation

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to reform gambling legislation; and if she will make a statement. [781]

Mr. Caborn: The Government announced an Independent Review of the law on gambling on 8 December 1999, Official Report, column 534W, and the Review Body's term of reference on 16 February 2000, Official Report, column 537W. We expect to receive its report shortly. We will give it careful consideration before deciding what changes to make to the legislation.

We will also take account of this report when we consider how to progress the regulatory reform proposals for modernising the methods of payment in gaming machines which were set out in a Home Office consultation paper in March 2001, and the proposals for changes to the law on bingo clubs which were considered in the last session by the Deregulation Committees of both Houses.

Playing Fields

Mr. Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will publish the most up to date figures available on the number of playing fields sold by public bodies since 1 May 1997. [229]

Mr. Caborn: Information on the number of playing fields sold by public bodies since 1 May 1997 is not available. Sport England does, however, monitor the number of planning applications concerning playing fields in their role as statutory consultee.

The amendment to Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act in October 1998, which was brought in to halt the previous Administration's policy of forcing schools to sell off playing fields, has introduced powers that require all state schools to seek consent for the sale of playing fields from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills. In making her decision my right hon. Friend will take into account a number of criteria including consultation with the community and user groups, whether the proceeds will be used for education or used to enhance or improve sports provision, and whether the remaining playing fields fully meet the needs for local schools and the community. My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Education and Employment gave approval for the sale of 26.4 acres of school playing fields in England in 1998; 111.2 acres in 1999; and 60.9 acres in 2000. In many cases such approval will only involve the sale of part of a playing field (which will not affect the sporting use), or even no sale at all, as it is reused for another sporting use.

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Sport England

Mr. Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to appoint a new chief executive to Sport England. [231]

Mr. Caborn: It is for the Sport England Council to appoint its Chief Executive, subject to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's approval. I hope the process will be carried out speedily but the Council's overriding priority is to find the right person for the job.

Space for Sports and Arts Initiative

Mr. Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to announce how schools can access the £750 million New Opportunities Fund budget under the Space for Sport and Arts Initiative. [230]

Mr. Caborn: Details of the application process for the £130 million Space for Sports and Arts initiative, which is jointly funded by DfES, DCMS, Sport England, the Arts Council for England and the New Opportunities Fund, were announced last autumn.

The New Opportunities Fund is currently consulting on how best to deliver its third round of funding initiatives, including the remainder of the £750.75 million PE and sport in schools initiative. A consultation document, "Delivering New Opportunities", is available from the Fund and organisations have until 3 September 2001 to submit comments.

The Fund expects to launch the PE and sport in schools initiative by the end of the 2001 calendar year and details of the application process will be announced at the launch.

Horse Racing

Mr. Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to meet the Chairman of the British Horseracing Board to discuss the proposed abolition of the Horserace Betting Levy Board. [232]

Mr. Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I expect to hold an early meeting with the Chairman of the British Horseracing Board so that he can brief us on the issues currently facing the racing industry.

Mr. Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to bring forward legislation for the privatisation of the Horserace Totalisation Board. [233]

Mr. Caborn: It remains the Government's intention to bring forward legislation when parliamentary time allows.

Mr. Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to meet the Chairman of the Horserace Totaliser Board to discuss the proposed privatisation of the Tote. [234]

Mr. Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I expect to hold an early meeting with Peter Jones, Chairman of the Tote, so that he can brief us on all of the current issues affecting the business.

Mr. Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to bring forward legislation to abolish the Horserace Betting Levy Board. [235]

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Mr. Caborn: It remains our intention to bring forward legislation when parliamentary time allows. In the meantime we will continue to work closely with the Levy Board, the British Horseracing Board and the representatives of the betting industry to make the transition to fully commercial arrangements as smooth as it can be.

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