HC Deb 21 June 1978 vol 952 cc453-5
13. Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will conduct an investigation into the use of drugs in Scottish football and other sports.

16. Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consult the Scottish Football Association, the Scottish Sports Council and other interested bodies with a view to introducing safeguards to eliminate any use of artificial stimulants in Scottish football and other sports.

Mr. McElhone

Responsibility for controlling the use of drugs in sport lies with the governing bodies of sport, including the Scottish Football Association, acting in accordance with the rules of the appropriate international sports federation. The Scottish Sports Council will continue to advise governing bodies on drug testing procedures, and I am sure that the governing bodies are fully aware of the importance of measures to detect and prevent the use of drugs.

Mr. Canavan

As the recent incident involving the use of drugs in Argentina brought Scottish football into even more disrepute than the team's pathetic performance on the field, does my hon. Friend agree that it is now up to the Scottish Football Association and other appropriate authorities in Scotland to try to rescue Scotland's good name by insisting on the highest standards, including strict regulations and, if necessary, the use of spot checks to enforce those regulations?

Mr. McElhone

I agree with much of what my hon. Friend said. Indeed, FIFA—the international organisation for football—has asked the Football Association and the SFA to conduct inquiries into drug taking in football. I hope that governing bodies will take firm action and ensure that persons caught taking drugs are dealt with severely. It is important not only for the good name of Scotland but in terms of setting an example to the many young people who idolise football stars.

Mr. Dewar

Does my hon. Friend accept that sometimes brave words are spoken by the football authorities but action is remarkably sparse thereafter? Will he check in the near future to ensure that action is being taken and that Scotland's football house has been put in order? Will he also bear in mind that the Scottish Highland Games circuit, for example, manages checks on drug taking? Surely it is not beyond the resources of the Scottish Football Association to clear its name and to establish proper controls very quickly.

Mr. McElhone

Again, I agree with my hon. Friend. I hope that testing will take place in the near future for the good name of football and all other sports. Through the working party on football crowd behaviour and other experiments aimed at helping young people, I have had the fullest support from the SPA and the football clubs. I have no reason to think otherwise than that they will give full support to this proposal.

Mr. Fairbairn

Does the Minister agree that if the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan) took a perpetual sleeping draught none of us would want that to be objected to?

Mr. McElhone

No. The loss of my hon. Friend the Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan) would make the House a very dull place indeed.

Mr. Buchan

Will the Minister tell us whether there is any truth in the rumour that stimulants were used by the journalists and tranquillisers by the players?

Mr. McElhone

I think that there is a great deal of stimulus here today. The only good thing that came out of the whole exercise was that my right hon. Friend went to see Scotland play Holland. I think that his magnetic influence on the players brought about the good result. We are all sorry that he did not go to the first two games.

Mr. Monro

Is the Minister aware that I agree with his responsible attitude to this matter? Over and above that, does he agree that we should ensure that the reputation of Scotland's sportsmen and sportswomen is absolutely free from any hint of drug taking in future? Will he bring to the notice of the Scottish Sports Council and the governing bodies in sport the recent work published by Canada subsequent to the Olympic Games, covering this matter in great detail, and the work now under preparation by the Sports Council in London?

Mr. McElhone

I certainly undertake to do that. The British Sports Council, which has supported research into detection methods, recently announced the spending of £75,000 over three years to help deal with this matter. Action is being taken, but I realise that there is some urgency about it to get back the good name of football.