HC Deb 21 April 1964 vol 693 cc1085-6
28. Mr. Box

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what portion of the £40,000 of Government money allocated to the Welsh tourist industry has been earmarked by him for expenditure on hospitality to visiting sporting teams from overseas countries.

Sir K. Joseph

None. The money will be put towards the cost of a programme of research.

Mr. Box

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Socialist-controlled Cardiff City Council has recently refused to extend a civic welcome to a visiting team of South African bowlers? Without condoning apartheid in any way, would not my right hon. Friend agree that this brings Wales into ridicule and disrepute—[HON. MEMBERS: "Non-sense."]—and besmirches her good name for hospitality? Does not he further agree that it is ridiculous to involve sporting teems in party politics in this way—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman appears to be asking the Minister to express a view on a matter of opinion. That is out of order. The last part of the supplementary question would seem to be more appropriate to the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and for the Colonies.

Mr. G. Thomas

On a point of order. In view of the—

Mr. Bence

—unsatisfactory nature—

Mr. Box

On a point of order.

Mr. Thomas

I am already on a point of order.

Mr. Speaker

I cannot receive two points of order at once. Mr. Thomas.

Mr. Thomas

Mr. Speaker, since you were almost bound to allow, and did allow, the hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Box) to make some very serious statements about my friends on the Cardiff City Council, which has a Labour majority, would it not be fair if we were allowed—

Hon. Members

That is not a point of order.

Mr. Thomas

It is a point of order. Mr. Speaker I know that you try normally to hold the balance in debate. I only appeal to you that you might possibly hold tie balance here at Question Time. Since the hon. Gentleman has got away with it—

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman is very optimistic. I tried to stop it. If, because I hail been a little slow, perhaps, out of kindness to find out what the hon. Gentleman was really saying, I then allowed a counter-attack further out of order, I am afraid we would be further lost in the depths of disorder.