HC Deb 23 February 1983 vol 37 cc927-8
18. Mr. John Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to convene a conference of Commonwealth Ministers of Sport to discuss the effect on sport in member countries of differing interpretations of the Gleneagles agreement.

Mr. Macfarlane

No, Sir.

Mr. Carlisle

In view of the vindictive action of the Jamaican Government, who have cancelled the English women's cricket team tour, and in view of the Australian Government's banning of English nationals simply because both parties have played some sport in South Africa, will my hon. Friend consider such a conference and recommend to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers that the Gleneagles agreement is now being used for purely political purposes and should therefore be abandoned?

Mr. Macfarlane

It is the Commonwealth declaration on apartheid in sport, not the Gleneagles agreement. Moreover, it is not an agreement. The 1977 declaration was agreed by the Commonwealth Heads of Government. Only they can amend it. I cannot. I should like to make it clear that the Government have always interpreted that declaration as enabling Governments to have the discretion to fulfil their own obligations according to their own laws. We have made it quite clear that we do not recognise the United Nations apartheid committee and its blacklist.

Mr. Graham

Will the Minister bear in mind that the Gleneagles agreement is held to be satisfactory by all except the South African lobby and that, if it is honoured, there will be no British representation at the Olympic Games in 1984, the Commonwealth Games in 1986, the world cup in 1986 and the European football championships in 1984? If we are to continue to oppose racism in sport, will the Minister remember that no authoritative group or individual has yet claimed that sport in South Africa is not fully controlled by apartheid laws?

Mr. Macfarlane

I acknowledge the hon. Gentleman's latter point. Nevertheless, the meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government in Melbourne in September 1981 agreed to uphold the principles of the Gleneagles agreement.