§ 50. Mr. Gammansasked the Prime Minister if he will issue a statistical statement to show the effects of football and other sporting features on absenteeism and production in the middle of the week.
§ The Prime MinisterA comprehensive statement could not be obtained without an elaborate inquiry, which would involve a disproportionate amount of time.
§ Mr. GammansWill the Prime Minister say whether there is any evidence that sporting fixtures in the middle of the week do, or do not, interfere with production? No one wants to interfere with sport unnecessarily, but will he not agree that the Government ought to make a statement on the subject, in view of the Press reports in the last few weeks?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member will remember that in response to a recent Question by him I made a statement stressing the undesirability of having midweek matches. I hope that has had some effect.