HC Deb 13 February 1958 vol 582 cc560-2
37. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that at the eighth general conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation it was decided to proceed with an inquiry into the place of sport in education, and that the British delegate abstained from voting and the United Kingdom from subsequent collaboration; and if he will give the reasons for this.

Sir E. Boyle

This project did not in the view of Her Majesty's Government deserve high priority among the many subjects already included in U.N.E.S.C.O.'s programme.

Miss Burton

Whilst appreciating that the Government, no less than the people of Rochdale, are entitled to their opinion on any such matter, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he would not agree that once U.N.E.S.C.O. had decided this matter it was unfortunate that we did not decide to collaborate?

Sir E. Boyle

I think it was reasonable to doubt whether this inquiry was likely to lead to results which would justify the money and energy spent on it.

Mr. Kershaw

May I ask my hon. Friend what U.N.E.S.C.O. knows about sport? Would it not be a ridiculous waste of money to take part in this foolish conference?

Miss Burton

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he does not realise that I was posing the question after this matter had been settled, and when it was settled that this shoud be done why did we not then participate?

Sir E. Boyle

We did not abstain from collaboration in the book which was subsequently published, but contributions were asked only from those who favoured the project.

38. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that between 40 and 50 people from 17 countries took part in the international seminar organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in September, 1957, to study the rôle of sport in education, and that his Department received an invitation to send representatives; and why this was not accepted.

Sir E. Boyle

An invitation to send experts from this country was received and accepted. Of the people suggested by my Department, three were invited and one attended.

Miss Burton

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I am very glad to have that information, because members of the Physical Education Association are under the impression that nobody from his Department attended that meeting?

Sir E. Boyle

I am glad to have cleared up the misapprehension.

39. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Education whether, as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has decided to spend some of its income on studying the place of sport in education, he will instruct the delegate from the United Kingdom to take part in this work.

Sir E. Boyle

I should prefer to judge any invitation on its merits.

Miss Burton

But are the Government determined, although we send delegates to U.N.E.S.C.O., to refuse to take part in anything agreed by the majority of that conference? What is the use of sending a delegate if we are not prepared to abide by the decisions?

Sir E. Boyle

We really must judge these invitations on their merits. I beg the hon. Lady to believe that we try to take the work of U.N.E.S.C.O. with proper seriousness at the Ministry. We have an Under-Secretary who advises the Minister on the subject, and I try to keep myself informed about what is going on.

Miss Burton

On a point of order, Sir—it is a genuine point of order—I think the Parliamentary Secretary has answered my second Question and I have reached the third. I did not mention an invitation in my third Question. If that is your impression also, could the hon. Gentleman give me the reply again?

Mr. Speaker

I thought the Minister was answering Question No. 39.