§ 2.43 p.m.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Ministry of Defence offices of the Navy, Army and Air Force in London are being used for the sale of tickets for the Rugby match against the all-white South African team at Aldershot on December 16th.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, R.A.F. (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)My Lords, it is customary for tickets for matches between Combined Services Rugby teams and touring teams to be sold by the Sports Boards of the three Services at the Ministry of Defence in London. The arrangements for the match to-morrow are no exception to this.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend this question? In 810 view of the opinion expressed by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Sport in this matter, and the withdrawal of the Service grounds when the match against Oxford University was cancelled. is it right that accommodation, and civil servants, at the Headquarters of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force should be used for the purpose of supporting apartheid in sport?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, the individuals can wear two hats. They can he civil servants; they can also be Rugby enthusiasts. The fixture in question was arranged two years ago and is to take place on a Service ground. It is the Government's policy to leave to individual clubs whether or not they should play a touring team; and in this the Combined Services Association are not considered to be any different, or in any different position, from any other club. In consequence, the Government accept that the facilities which are traditionally provided should be available for this match.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend this further question? Is he aware, first, that I am a Rugby enthusiast?
§ A NOBLE LORD: Scrum-half, I should think.
§ LORD BROCKWAYSecondly, is it a fact that in Government Departments accommodation and the use of civil servants is now being provided for this introduction of politics into sport by the method of apartheid?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I do not think that Her Majesty's Government are introducing politics into sport. I think it is the noble Lord who is doing that.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, will my noble friend answer the question that I put? Is accommodation at the Defence Headquarters now being used for this purpose, and are civil servants being employed for this purpose.
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, in the course of their normal procedure tickets are being sold by the Sports Boards—I stress, the Sports Boards—with individuals acting in their private capacity within the three Services at the Ministry of Defence in London.
§ LORD HANKEYMy Lords, is the Minister aware that the vast majority of our countrymen are absolutely fed up with irrevelant political issues being used to spoil sporting fixtures?
§ SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS: Hear, hear!