§ 51. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to demands for improved conditions of employment for professional football players; and whether the services of a conciliation officer from his Department will be made available to the Players Union and the Football League?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Lennox-Boyd)I have no knowledge of the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member other than that contained in reports that have appeared in the Press. While the services of my Department are at all times available to assist in the settlement of disputes concerning working conditions, I feel sure that the various matters involved in this case can best be settled by the organisations directly concerned.
§ Mr. MorrisonI take it that any request from either of the parties concerned to the hon. Member's Department for assistance in providing conciliation officers to deal with some of the difficult matters arising in this dispute, will receive attention?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe shall follow our usual procedure.
Viscountess AstorWould it not be better for the Government to look after the football pools rather than football players?