To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many non-profit making sports clubs in England applied for rate relief for each of the financial years 1979–80 to 1991–92 and as a total over the same period; and how many of these clubs were granted rate relief of (a) 25 per cent. or under, (b) 25 to 50 per cent., (c) 50 to 65 per cent., (d) 65 to 90 per cent. and (e) 90 to 100 per cent.
The information requested is not available. However, the results of a recent departmental survey, based on returns received from 81 per cent. of local authorities, reveal that more non-profit making recreational clubs received more relief in 1990–91 than in 1989–90, the last year of general rates. The table shows the number of properties occupied by non-profit making recreational clubs receiving relief in the two years and the percentage amounts of relief given.
| Year | Number of properties receiving relief | Number of properties granted relief of: | |||
| less than 20 per cent. | 21–50 per cent. | 51–80 per cent. | more than 80 per cent. | ||
| 1989–90 | 8,500 | 300 | 5,200 | 1,100 | 1,900 |
| 1990–91 | 10,200 | 700 | 3,900 | 2,800 | 2,900 |
| Figures may not sum due to rounding. | |||||