§ 9. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what responsibility his Department has for promoting sporting links with foreign countries; and what proportion of his Department's efforts are devoted to South American countries.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI am keen to foster good international sporting relations and am always willing to give advice and assistance where appropriate. I cannot estimate the proportion of my Department's efforts devoted to South American countries.
§ Mr. DalyellWhy does the Minister think that the invitation to the England football team to visit Rio de Janeiro was withdrawn?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI have nothing to add to the answer that I gave a short while ago.
§ Mr. StokesCan my hon. Friend tell me—there is nothing personal in this—why a supremely non-interventionist Government should interfere in sporting matters?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI was not aware that we had intervened in sporting matters. The premise that my hon. Friend advances is entirely incorrect.