§ 46. Miss Burtonasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the staging in this country of the European Games of 1962 would bring much prestige to Great Britain; and if Her Majesty's Government will take steps, by provision of a grant or otherwise, to ensure that this is achieved.
§ The Prime MinisterI think it is right that the Government should leave this matter to the sporting organisations.
§ Miss BurtonThe Prime Minister seems to be singularly uninformed. Is he aware that the generosity and public spirit shown by the News of the World have now put a better face on this matter and is the reason for this Question being on the Order Paper today? Might I further ask the Prime Minister if he realises that these Games have never been held in Britain but have been held in Italy, France, Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, and Sweden? Does he not think, as Leader of the Government of the day, that some steps should be taken to help this country in sporting affairs?
§ The Prime MinisterI think it is splendid that the Games will take place in Britain. The Empire Games were held in Wales this year with great success, but no subvention was asked for or required and a handsome profit was made. The Olympic Games were held in this country in 1948, and succeeded in doing so without loss or subvention. The Government gave some minor assistance in providing building materials and so forth, and I am very glad to know that in this way it will be possible to hold these Games.
Perhaps I was only wrong—or not so wrong—in regarding the News of the World as a sporting organisation.
§ Miss BurtonAs the staff of the Prime Minister has so misinformed him, and as I would hate him to go in error, may I ask him if he is aware that it is not yet, unfortunately, a case of these Games being held here but merely that it is possible now to make application for them, and that the News of the World has made that possible?
§ The Prime MinisterWhether they are held here or not is not a question of financial support.