§ 20. Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has given to sportsmen or sponsoring organisations or other Government Departments in con- 28 nection with sporting visits to South Africa.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeIt is for sporting bodies to reach their own decisions about sporting contacts with South Africa. Consultations between Departments in the Government are, of course, confidential.
§ Mr. AshtonIs the Foreign Secretary aware that the Minister for Sport said that this was the responsibility of the Foreign Secretary? Is he aware that in regard to Scottish sea anglers the request was turned down by the Secretary of State for Scotland? Can he tell us where the buck finally stops? As a member of the M.C.C., would he, as Foreign Secretary, agree to the visit of a British cricket team to South Africa in present conditions?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeLeaving the hypothetical questions out of it, the responsibility here is that of the Minister for Sport. If there is any change in policy, he will come to the House and say so.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs much of the hope of peaceful change in South Africa depends upon the young generation of Afrikaaners, are not sporting visits of this kind, with the many contacts that they give among young people, likely to be helpful?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeMy right hon. Friend knows that I have been one of the strongest advocates of contact as against boycott.