HC Deb 15 December 1943 vol 395 cc1538-9
40. Mr. Mathers

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will remove the discrimination against the Scottish Junior Football Association in respect of recommendations to the Regional Transport Commissioner for team travelling facilities, by reverting to the practice prevailing in former seasons, and taking the duty out of the hands of the Scottish Football Association?

Mr. Noel-Baker

There are great advantages in the present arrangement, under which the Secretary of the Scottish Football Association makes applications for coaches for the teams both of that Association and of the Scottish Junior Football Association. I have carefully considered the information which my hon. Friend was good enough to send me, and, with respect, this information does not seem to me to prove that there has been discrimination against the Scottish Junior Football Association. If, however, my hon. Friend has in mind any cases in which junior clubs have been refused reasonable facilities, I will, of course, gladly investigate them.

Mr. Mathers

Why has the information which I gave, and which in my judgment would prove the accuracy of my contention, not been investigated? Was this arrangement put into force on the initia- tive of my hon. Friend's Department? If so, why is jurisdiction over the juniors given to the seniors?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Because of the great advantages of having the administration centralised in the Scottish Football Association. But if my hon. Friend will give me any information he has, I will look into it.