Asked by: Lord Harrison (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to recognise chess and bridge as sports for the purpose of applying for funds provided by national sports organisations.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
The process for the recognition of sports in the UK is a matter for the Sports Councils’ Recognition Panel which is made up of Sport England, Sport Wales, Sport Scotland, Sport Northern Ireland and UK Sport.
The games of bridge and chess are not recognised as sports by any of the UK sports councils.
There are no plans currently to revisit the question of recognition for either chess or bridge.
Asked by: Lord Harrison (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefit of playing chess and bridge for (1) older people, (2) those with mental health problems and (3) children.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
The Government has made no assessment of the benefit of playing chess and bridge for older people, those with mental health problems or children.
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the World Chess Federation's decision to enforce a requirement on all competitors in the Women's World Chess Championship 2017 in Iran to wear the hijab, and what discussions they have had with, and what advice they have given to, UK Chess Associations about the safety of UK citizens competing in the event.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
We have had no discussions with the World Chess Federation on this matter. Visitors to any country should refer to FCO advice when travelling abroad, including abiding by local laws and customs.
Asked by: Charlotte Leslie (Conservative - Bristol North West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will continue to allow entry fees for chess tournaments to remain VAT exempt.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Entry fees for chess tournaments have always been taxable at the standard rate of VAT.
Asked by: Cheryl Gillan (Conservative - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the effect of High Speed 2 on (a) the Misbourne, Colne and Chess rivers, (b) chalk acquifers and (c) other bodies of water; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The avoidance and mitigation measures to address any effects of HS2 on water bodies (including the Misbourne, Colne and Chess rivers, and chalk acquifers) are set out in Volume 2 of the Environmental Statement (in Chapter 13 of each Community Forum Area Report) and the Volume 5 Water Resources reports of the Environmental Statement, published in November 2013.