§ 3. Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in view of the fact that the conduct of players and spectators of association football is damaging to national prestige, he will withhold his projected financial support for this sport until such conduct ceases.
§ Mr. ShepherdDoes not the Joint Under-Secretary think that instead of encouraging us to take part in World Cup games, it would be much better to withdraw from international competitions until we can maintain the standard with which this country was once associated? And if he must spend money, can he not spend it on providing good referees instead of on these grounds?
§ Mr. HowellI am happy to say that the excellent standard of our referees still continues, irrespective of the fact that they get no financial support from the Government. I believe that more good than harm is done by international sport. In any case, there is no justification for the assertion in the hon. Gentleman's Question that the conduct at the grounds where specific matches for the World Cup are to be played is as harmful as he says it is.