§ 7. Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources are to be made available to ensure that adequate drug testing is available at British-hosted sports events.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Sports Council, which is responsible for funding the drug-testing regime, has allocated £350,000 in the 1987–88 budget for its doping control programme. In addition, the Sports Council for Northern Ireland has allocated £6,000, the Scottish Sports Council £18,000 and the Sports Council for Wales £39,000.
§ Mr. WardellAs sport is seen as an important way of counteracting the use of drugs in our society, and as commercial sponsorship does not seem to be attracted to the funding of this activity, is the Minister absolutely satisfied that sufficient resources are now available for the programme?
§ Mr. MoynihanThe hon. Gentleman will know that this is a matter of great concern to the Government. That is why, only last week, a two-month review was set up, with Mr. Sebastian Coe assisting. One of the most important matters that will be examined in the review will, of course, be the resources required to implement effective drug control testing throughout the country and throughout sporting activities.
§ Mr. Harry GreenwayWill my hon. Friend comment on the position of the medical profession in relation to drugs in sport and tell us how he thinks athletes should react to advice from doctors?
§ Mr. MoynihanEvery governing body should have an appropriate code of conduct and a full set of guidelines and procedures on the drugs which enhance performance in its sport. The medical profession must be fully involved in drawing that up and, indeed, be responsible for the implementation of the policy among competitors.
§ Mr. Denis HowellMay I welcome the Minister to his new responsibilities and wish him well on behalf of British sport? As the Sports Council has held a two-year inquiry into these matters, and as the Minister has just told the House that that body is to spend £350,000 on drug investigation, why has he found it necessary to announce a new initiative involving himself and Mr. Coe? Does he intend to supplant or to augment the work of the Sports Council, and what will be the relationship between Sir Arthur Gold's Sports Council Committee and his initiative?
§ Mr. MoynihanI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his initial comments. The work of the inquiry is to augment the outstanding work undertaken by Sir Arthur Gold and the drug abuse advisory group. However. some important matters that needed to be examined lie outside the remit of the Sports Council—for example, trafficking in anabolic steroids.