SOUTH AFRICAN CUSTOMS CHARGES ON FREE FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT

Early day motion 1041, tabled 10 March 2009 by Roger Godsiff (Labour). Signed by 39 members.

That this House welcomes the football coaching and educational activities undertaken over the last six years in deprived and impoverished townships in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town by British Airways, the Metropolitan Police, the Charlton Athletic Community Trust and the British High Commission working together with the South African Police and local premier soccer league teams of Ajax Cape Town, AmaZulu FC and Wits FC; recognises the financial contribution made by the British partners of around £250,000 per year in coaching, flights, travelling and staffing costs of running these courses; but regrets the fact that the South African customs authorities are demanding that the British partners now pay nearly £27,000 in 2009 for bringing in the new kit which is used for the coaching courses and given free to the children and schools who participate in the organised programmes.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 4, Conservative 3, DUP 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.