§ 2.25 p.m.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the urgency of the matter, they have reached a decision concerning the giving of some financial help, on a reciprocal basis, towards the cost of sending teams oversea this summer to compete in amateur international sporting events.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (EARL JELLICOE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government's decision concerning increased expenditure on sport and physical recreation, which was announced by my right honourable and learned friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in another place on May 8, concerned only additional resources put at the disposal of my right honourable 894 friends the Minister of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland, and local authorities, for expenditure for which they are responsible. As my right honourable and learned friend said in reply to supplementary questions in another place, other matters concerning sport are under consideration. It would be a new and controversial step in this country to link national sporting prestige with direct State financial aid, and I cannot promise a decision on this point in advance of the other matters which have to be considered in this connection.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, while suggesting that it would not be at all controversial to help, where requested, on a reciprocal basis, but rather an encouragement to voluntary contributors and workers alike, might I ask the Minister whether we may take it from his reply that Her Majesty's Government regard the question of a Sports Development Council as one of urgency and the question of travelling expenses as a priority for that Council?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I can certainly agree with the noble Baroness that it is highly desirable that a decision should be taken at any early date regarding the establishment or not of a Sports Development Council or some alternative, and the whole question is under review. I am afraid I cannot, at this stage, say what particular priority that Council or any alternative body, if established, would give to any particular project.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, while pursuing that faint grain of hope just a little further, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that my Question referred to sporting events this summer; and whether he also knows that many international sporting events will be taking place oversea in the next few months? Should Her Majesty's Government not reach a decision early enough for help to be given in these matters, if sporting bodies who are adversely affected by financial shortage were to appeal to the Treasury, would the Treasury consider them in advance of the establishment of a Sports Development Council?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I am sure that, subject to the qualification which I have already given in answer to 895 the noble Baroness's original Question, any representations about particular projects, either from sports bodies or from the noble Baroness herself, will receive very careful attention.