§ 10. Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to make an official visit to Edinburgh during the 1992 international festival.
§ Mr. KeyBoth my right hon. and learned Friend and I look forward to visiting the Edinburgh festival.
§ Dr. GodmanI am grateful and pleased to hear that the Secretary of State will visit Edinburgh during the festival and I assure him that he will receive a warm welcome from the people of Edinburgh and of Scotland. However, had the Secretary of State visited Scotland today, he would have been subject to an intensely warm reaction following his thoughtless comments about "British" football fans when referring to the disgraceful behaviour of English fans. May I remind the Minister that no Scottish fans were anywhere near Malmö, and that not one Scottish supporter has been in any kind of trouble? The same—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. This is Question Time, not a statement.
§ Mr. KeyI am not quite so sensitive to that particular problem as the hon. Gentleman. I have a Scottish wife and I am a Scottish-registered teacher.
On the main question, I look forward to visiting the Edinburgh festival and this year, as in previous years, it will be a huge success given its increased funding. I look forward to making some progress with my knowledge of the arts in Scotland, after too long an absence since I had my first job there as a school master. I also look forward to visiting the Perth repertory company, which has an outstanding record. Incidentally, that theatre was saved by my cousin.