English Schools Athletic Association

HC Deb 06 May 1965 vol 711 c1550

26. Mr. Milne

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assistance he will give to the English Schools Athletic Association in connection with their annual sports at Watford in July, 1965.

Mr. Denis Howell

My right hon. Friend is considering an application for grant towards the expenses of the general administration of the Association. He has not received any application for assistance with the expenses of the national championships and understands that the Association regards grant to its headquarters administration as the more important.

Mr. Milne

Is my hon. Friend aware that this will give considerable satisfaction in the quarters concerned and that we look forward to continuing interest in this in future?

Sir G. Nicholson

Would the hon. Gentleman say what the present policy is in respect of giving grants for assisting sports? Is he waiting until he has all the applications before making them, or are they being made piecemeal?

Mr. Howell

I take it that the hon. Gentleman is referring to school sports which are the subject of the Question. In that case, I can inform him that one of the first things we did was to send for the English Schools Athletic Association and tell its members that for the first time they were to receive practical financial encouragement in their work.