HC Deb 01 July 1965 vol 715 cc807-8
23. Mr. Lubbock

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek the advice of the Sports Council about the extent of drug taking by amateur sportsmen.

Mr. Denis Howell

Drug taking by sportsmen is a matter of interest to the Sports Council and they will be giving consideration to this subject in due course. As the hon. Member will no doubt be aware, a certain amount of work has been and is being done on this subject by various bodies, notably the British Association of Sport and Medicine.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the hon. Member aware that serious allegations about the taking of drugs in the amphetamine group were made at the time of the recent 14-day Tour of Britain cycle race? Does he not consider that this is a sufficiently serious matter for an investigation to be put in hand immediately?

Mr. Howell

There has to be a very subtle distinction about interfering in the province of the governing bodies of sport. The Association to which I have drawn attention is interested in this case and the Sports Council is generally keeping itself informed, and if it feels that it ought to intervene I have no doubt that it will do so.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Has the Minister any knowledge of drugs being taken by middle-aged amateur boxers?

Mr. Howell

All the middle-aged amateur boxers among my contacts sit on the opposite side of the House, and I see in their performance no suggestion to this effect.