Sale of Tickets (Sporting and Cultural Events) Bill

Debate between Sharon Hodgson and Jacob Rees-Mogg

Friday 21st January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con)]

I thank the hon. Lady for being both gracious and generous in giving way a second time so quickly. If the charity fails to sell its tickets for the market price, which is £106, that is its fault. It ought to investigate other ways to sell its tickets, such as eBay, to maximise its return, rather than our introducing a harsh legislative measure.

[Mrs Hodgson]

The charity decides on the price based on the genuine, ordinary fans whom it wishes to attract. It is often aware that the price is sometimes below the market value, but the reason is that it does not want to attract only people who can afford to pay £106. It wants to attract a broad cross-section of people. It does not just want elite people in the audiences at such events. I will give further examples in due course.