HC Deb 19 May 1982 vol 24 cc344-5
15. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) on 29 April, Official Report, c. 331, if he has since reviewed the question of participation by Scotland, England and Northern Ireland in the World Cup.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Neil Macfarlane)

I keep the position under constant review.

Mr. Dalyell

At least in relation to Scotland, where most of us in the industrial belt have a rather different perception of the whole Falklands issue than the Southern English, will the Government make an effort to ascertain the views of the Scots on the task force before pressurising the SFA to withdraw from the World Cup?

Mr. Macfarlane

I cannot give any assurances or guarantees on that topic or that approach. At this stage the Government see no objection to the three British teams taking part as planned in the World Cup finals next month. I have said previously, both inside and outside the House, that many millions of people would find it odd if we as the non-aggressor nation, were not taking part in the World Cup finals.

Sir Hector Monro

Does my hon. Friend recall that the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Small Heath (Mr. Howell) and I raised this question a month ago in the House? Since then, have any of the home football associations or any of the countries that have supported us in the United Nations raised through FIFA the possibility of the Argentines being thrown out of the World Cup? They are the aggressor, not us. We should be going and they should not.

Mr. Macfarlane

I understand what my hon. Friend says. A dialogue obviously takes place between representatives of FIFA. I have no specific knowledge of any detailed dialogue involving our senior vice-president, Mr. Harry Cavan, of the Northern Ireland Football Association, or precisely what he has said. The Brazilian president of FIFA has made it clear that Argentina will not be excluded from the World Cup.

Mr. Denis Howell

As the news from the Falklands grows more ominous by the hour, can the Minister say whether his advice will still hold, what discussions he has had with the three football associations and in what circumstances the Government might think it right to change that advice? Will he say what advice he has given the football associations about representations to FIFA along the lines discussed in the House three weeks ago?

Mr. Macfarlane

I think that all hon. Members will share my view that, at the moment, this is a matter that has to be held under constant review and that ultimately it is a matter very much for the football authorities. I am reviewing the matter day by day. I cannot answer hypothetical questions about what might happen over the next seven to 10 days—I have no means of knowing—except to say that the British Government see no objection at the moment to the British teams going to the World Cup finals next month. I hope that the competition can continue under normal circumstances.

Mr. John Carlisle

Will my hon. Friend accept that many hon. Members, and many people in the country, will support his view that we should put no pressure on the football associations to withdraw as we are the innocent parties in this dispute? Does he agree that it is right to go to Spain and to take part in the competition, but that if any British team has to face the Argentine team we should withdraw from the competition and put the onus on FIFA to expel Argentina, if it thinks this is absolutely necessary?

Mr. Macfarlane

My hon. Friend raises many hypothetical points. I wish to make it clear to the House that I have put no pressure on the three British football associations. The matter is under constant review.