HC Deb 28 January 1957 vol 563 cc649-50
34. Mr. Isaacs

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements he has made for displaying the Fearnley Cup for 1956, awarded to the Stoke Mandeville Hospital by the International Olympic Committee in recognition of its work in promoting amateur sports among the seriously disabled.

Mr. Vosper

This award has been made, not to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, but, I understand, to the organisers of the Stoke Mandeville Games. It is for them to decide how it should be displayed.

Mr. Isaacs

Is not the right hon. Gentleman of the opinion that this is a tribute to the work of the British Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance in pioneering this service over many years, and to Stoke Mandeville and Dr. Guttmann, who have made this possible? Surely such an award, made for the first time to an English-speaking nation and for the first time to disabled persons, is worth more publicity and recognition from the Government than the right hon. Member appears to give it?

Mr. Vosper

I should like to be associated with the tribute which my predecessor conveyed to Dr. Guttmann; but this is a matter for a local trust to decide, as I understand it, and no application has been made to me. If the right hon. Gentleman has any positive suggestion to make, I will, of course consider it.

Mr. Isaacs

One suggestion which I could make is that the Minister might be good enough to have this trophy placed in the Library so that we can all see it.

Mr. Vosper

I understand that the trophy itself does not leave Switzerland and that only a replica is presented in this country.