MARYLEBONE CRICKET CLUB (SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR)

HC Deb 30 January 1967 vol 740 cc33-6

The following Questions stood upon the Order Paper:

83. Mr. ALAN LEE WILLIAMS

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of grants arising from international sport with South Africa; and if he will make a statement about the present position.

84. Mr. RHODES

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the discussions which have taken place between the Government and the Marylebone Cricket Club on the proposed cricket tour of South Africa in the winter of 1968–69.

85. Mr. WINNICK

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the official discussions which he has had with the Marylebone Cricket Club on the proposed South African tour.

86. Mr. FISHER

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the discussions which Her Majesty's Government have had with the Marylebone Cricket Club on their forthcoming tour of South Africa.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State, Department of Education and Science (Mr. Denis Howell)

With the permission of Mr. Speaker, I would now like to answer Questions Nos. 83, 84, 85 and 86.

Normally Government grant is made, where appropriate, to enable national amateur teams from Britain to take part in international sporting events overseas. However, the Government do not aid teams wishing to participate in events overseas in circumstances involving racial discrimination, and no application for Government financial assistance towards sports visits to South Africa has been agreed to, or will be entertained.

On the broader issue of the proposed M.C.C. tour in South Africa in 1968–69, the House will understand that the Government have no responsibility—nor do they wish to have responsibility—for the activities of the governing bodies of sport or such organisations as the M.C.C. The Government understand that, so far, there has been no official discussion between the South African Cricket Association and the M.C.C. concerning details of the proposed tour, and in any event such tours do not receive Government grant.

Informal discussions have been held between the Government and representatives of the M.C.C. and indeed, some months ago, its Secretary outlined its policy in this matter. The M.C.C. has informed the Government that the team to tour South Africa will be chosen on merit and in this respect any preconditions that the host country lay down will be totally disregarded. The Government are confident that if, when the time comes, any player chosen for the touring side were to be rejected by the host country, then there would be no question but that the M.C.C. would find such a condition wholly unacceptable and the projected tour would be abandoned.

Mr. Alan Lee Williams

I welcome my hon. Friend's forthright reply, but could he tell us how many applications for grants his Department has received? Could not this entire matter be considered by the Sports Council? Is it not a matter for that body?

Mr. Howell

There have been six such applications for grants which have not been agreed, but the Sports Council was consulted when the Government determined its policy. It thought that it would wish to be entirely dominated by sporting considerations, but advised the Government that it fully understood that in this matter there were much wider considerations which were for the Government alone.

Mr. Rhodes

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that, in view of the previous statement by the South African Minister of the Interior, the statement he has just made clearly implies that if D'Oliveira is selected the tour will be cancelled? Does that not severely prejudice D'Oliveira's position and embarrass him? In the circumstances, would it not be better for the Government to say to the M.C.C. that if the South African Minister of the Interior does not immediately withdraw his statement notice should be immediately given by the M.C.C. that the tour is off?

Mr. Howell

There are certain matters within the realm of Government, and I hope that I have convinced the House that we are motivated only by first principles. There are other considerations outside our scope which are for the governing bodies of sport. All of us would agree that the gentleman concerned is a very fine cricketer and gentleman and graces the field of sport well. It is regrettable that he should be put in an embarrassing position by speeches elsewhere.

Mr. Winnick

Would my hon. Friend not agree that it would be degrading for cricket, sport and this country if the Nazi race laws of South Africa were accepted as a condition of selection of players by the M.C.C.?

Mr. Howell

I hope that I have fully convinced the House that the M.C.C. will not accept such considerations.

Mr. Fisher

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the overwhelming majority of hon. Members, irrespective of party, warmly welcome his statement and the attitude of the M.C.C., that we would all like to press that that attitude will continue, and that race should never be the criterion, only merit, when our touring teams are selected?

Mr. Hogg

Does not the independent and proper attitude of the Marylebone Cricket Club—[Laughter.]—endorse the view that it is independent not merely of the South African Government but also the British Government, and should remain so?

Mr. Howell

I do not know whether that question was intended to be a long hop or a full toss. We all recognise the right hon. and learned Gentleman's special responsibilities, and I think that his declaration of independence is warmly accepted.