HC Deb 14 March 1968 vol 760 cc1594-5
18. Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in view of the decision by the International Olympic Committee to invite a team from South Africa, chosen on the basis of racially segregated trials, to the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico and of the protest against this decision by other countries, if he will give an undertaking that the Government will not continue to subsidise the British Olympic team.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Denis Howell)

No, Sir. British participation in the Olypmic Games is a matter for the British Olympic Committee who have indicated that they have accepted the invitation to the 1968 Games in Mexico City. I do not think in the circumstances of this case it would be right to withhold the grant offered to the British Olympic Association towards the cost of participation.

Mr. Steel

Does not that answer conflict with an answer which the Minister gave on 30th January to the effect that the Government did not support teams participating in sport where racial discrimination was involved?

Mr. Howell

There is no conflict at all. I can well understand the strong feelings of the hon. Gentleman, and indeed others—I share them myself—about any racial discrimination in sport, but that is not the responsibility of the Government. My responsibility is for the grant to be made to the British team and how that money is used and the conditions under which British sportsmen will compete in Mexico. I am satisfied on all those counts.

Mr. Crawshaw

Does my hon. Friend agree that, irrespective of the Olympic Games, we should put money into British sport? Will he also bear in mind the strong feeling that is held on this side of the House about a British team participating in sport where there is a colour bar?

Mr. Howell

I do not follow the logic of that question. We have done everything, particularly on the advice of the Sports Council, to make certain that there is no racial discrimination involved where public money is being spent.

Mr. Charles Morrison

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the less political interference there is in the affairs of the International Olympic Committee, the better? Does he also agree that if an example is not given in this respect by the more responsible nations, such as ours, the whole future of the Olympic Games will be at stake?

Mr. Howell

Comment on the International Olympic Committee is free, and I understand much of the comment about it. I am not, however, certain that it is right for Governments to comment, since the Committee is a private sporting body. Nothing would disturb me more than to accept responsibility for the nature of Governments of countries against which British sportsmen compete.