HC Deb 25 November 1969 vol 792 cc173-4
2. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will forbid the use of sports facilities in Wales under the control of his Department by the Springbok football team.

The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. George Thomas)

There are no sports facilities under the control of my Department.

Mr. Hooley

Would my right hon. Friend agree that concern in Wales for personal freedom and human rights is just as active as concern for rugby football? Would he further agree that the events at Swansea recently reflected no great credit on the forces of law and order in Wales? Will he in future use his undoubted personal influence to prevent neo-Nazi football teams from polluting the soil of Wales?

Mr. Thomas

My hon. Friend raised many subjects in that supplementary question. My views on apartheid are well known and I am positive that they are shared by the overwhelming majority of the Welsh people.

Mr. Gower

Is it not undesirable for us to say anything in this connection that might exacerbate anything that has happened in the past?

Mr. Thomas

I do not think that anybody has tried to exacerbate it. We all have a right to show what our sentiments are where sport is based on race.