HC Deb 27 February 1980 vol 979 cc1352-3
24. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his discussions with the British Olympic Committee on the siting of the Olympic Games.

Mr. Monro

I have had several informal discussions in recent weeks with the office bearers and the general secretary of the British Olympic Association. The siting of the Olympic Games was included in the subjects covered. I am fully aware of their approach to the subject and they are in no doubt of the strength of the Government's views.

Mr. Dalyell

What is the justification for allowing the Moscow branch of the Chase Manhatten Bank to continue its commercial operations, allowing the EEC to sell butter to the Russians and keeping an ambassador in Moscow while saying to the athletes "You cannot go"? Since President Carter has got what he wants in New Hampshire, is it not time to end this humbugging nonsense?

Mr. Monro

The hon. Gentleman is totally misguided as to the reasons why we have taken such strong action and are advising our team not to go to the Olympics. It is intolerable that we should go there while the invasion of Afghanistan continues.

Mr. Dalyell

Humbug!

Mr. Gummer

Will my hon. Friend make sure that the British Olympic Committee is told that it is unacceptable for it to say that the Government's proposal is bringing politics into the Olympics when the committee connived at the exclusion from the Olympics of Taiwan, Rhodesia and South Africa? These were political decisions.

Mr. Monro

I should make clear that it was the International Olympic Committee rather than the British Olympic Committee which took those decisions, but it is a statement of fact that South Africa was banned from the Olympic Games, and that was a political act.

Mr. Denis Howell

Was South Africa not excluded by the International Olympic Committee and not by any Government? Is not my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) correct in saying that it is intolerable to expect Sebastian Coe and other distinguished athletes to confront the Russian military might when ICI has just announced the opening of a new office in Moscow and a Minister has made clear that export guarantees for trade with Russia will continue? Is it not disgraceful to discriminate against sport in this way?

Mr. Monro

The right hon. Gentleman is getting steamed up. He does not seem to accept the basic reason for the Government's attitude, which is the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. That is an extremely serious situation and that is why we have taken many steps against the Soviet Union in trade and technology.

Mr. Dalyell

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker in view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek, for the third time, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.