HL Deb 06 November 1962 vol 244 cc203-5

2.46 p.m.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My 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 they are now in a position to announce their long-delayed decision concerning the establishment of a Sports Development Council and, if not, when they expect to be able to do so.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD DERWENT)

My Lords, I regret I cannot add to what my noble friend Lord Jellicoe told the noble Lady on July 26, when he said that he hoped it would be possible to make a statement very soon after the House resumed after the Recess.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, while congratulating the new Minister on the occasion of the first Question that he has answered in this House, may I ask him whether he is aware that I am sorry but I am extremely dissatisfied with the reply? May I ask him whether he is aware that on May 9 I was told that this matter was under consideration; on May 22 I was told it was highly desirable that a decision should be taken at an early date; and on June 28 I was told the matter was under active consideration? May I ask the Minister whether this is the best the Government can do after active consideration lasting some four months?

LORD DERWENT

I thank the noble Baroness for the beginning of her remarks. This matter is being treated as important, but it is an organisational matter, and if there is too sudden a decision it may well be the wrong one. As I say, the matter is being considered as important, and directly a decision has been arrived at a statement will be made.

LORD WISE

My Lords, is the Minister aware that it is reported that the British athletes who are representing then-country in the Games at Perth in Australia have had to rely upon voluntary contributions from a generous individual, or generous individuals, to enable them to meet their expenses; and would he not agree that this undesirable feature of our national athletic system shows the urgent need for setting up a Sports Development Council at the earliest possible date in order to obviate similar circumstances later?

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, the noble Lord's supplementary question is really nothing to do with the Question put down on the Order Paper. The noble Baroness's Question, and the previous statement by my noble friend Lord Jellicoe, was based on the Wolfenden Report, and the question of payment for athletic teams, and so on, is quite outside that Report. In any case it bears no relation to the Question on the Order Paper.

LORD WISE

Does not the question of a Sports Development Council relate to the particular circumstances to which I referred, and would it not be the duty of a Sports Development Council, when it is set up, to deal with circumstances such as these?

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, I am afraid I cannot discuss the duties of a Development Council until we know if one is being set up, and until an official statement has been made.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

May I ask the Minister whether he is aware that nobody in this House or outside fears that the Government are likely to reach a hasty decision? May I also ask him whether his brief tells him when the Wolfenden Report was made? Lastly, may I ask him for an assurance that when the statement is about to be made the Minister will give me the opportunity of putting down a Question?

LORD DERWENT

I think it is probably possible to give the undertaking that the noble Baroness will be informed just before a statement is made. I do not think I need add anything further to my original reply.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

May I just ask the Minister one further question? I should like to be clear about this. Am I to take it from the last remark of the Minister that the Government will be kind enough to let me know when it would be possible to put down a Question, because he may be aware that over another matter I was informed too late?

LORD DERWENT

I cannot give any undertakings as I am not coming to the decision, but I think there is little doubt that the noble Baroness will be informed when a statement is going to be made.