Amendment proposed: No. 71, in page 11, line 2, at end insert

', provided that no party to such a sponsorship agreement has made a donation to a political party within the last 10 years.'.—[Mr. Wilshire.]

Question put, That the amendment be made:—

The Committee divided: Ayes 4, Noes 11.

Question accordingly negatived.

Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

I am pleased that we have made it to clause 20, because I have a lengthy discourse to make about the Embassy world professional darts

championship and the enormous disbenefit that it will be put to under the Bill. I have less than two minutes in which to deliver my discourse, let alone discuss the remaining 10 clauses, amendments and the new clause. However, I shall have a stab at it and see what I can come up with. If I cannot complete my discourse, I have no doubt that we can return to it at length on Report.

Clause 20 is a meaty clause. It is controversial and deals with the transitional provisions of sponsorship that refer specifically to the Government's anointed favourite sport of Formula 1 racing.

It is intended that the Bill will come into force two months after Royal Assent and that its provisions will have an effect on tobacco manufacturers, retailers and so on. A further three months will be allowed before the bringing into force of regulations that govern advertising within retail outlets, impact promotion schemes and certain direct marketing contracts—except for Formula 1 racing.

In another place, the Minister confirmed that the Government intend to stay with the broad outline of their thinking and that the special provisions of clause 19 should remain available to ''exceptional global events''. They are defined as taking place in at least two continents and three countries, with sponsorship in excess of £2.5 million per annum. All other sponsorship agreements should be banned from an earlier date—that is, 2003. That singles out Formula 1 racing, which is not exactly a sport bereft of cash. Did you know, Mr. Amess, that it is probably the most costly and richest sport in the world? It certainly does not need any assistance from the Bill. There are only 11 Formula 1 teams, each of which has to deposit a $48 million bond to participate in the race.

It being Seven o'clock, The Chairman proceeded, pursuant to Sessional Order D [28 June 2001] and the Order of the Committee [7 May], to put forthwith the Question already proposed from the Chair.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Clause 20 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

The Chairman then proceeded to put forthwith the Questions necessary to dispose of the business to be concluded at that time.

Clauses 11 to 16, 18, 19 and 21 ordered to stand part of the Bill.