GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR SPORT (Hansard, 31 January 1963)

§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which Stands in my name on the Order Paper.

§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)
My Lords, since I assumed these responsibilities last month I have been making my own survey of the ways in which the Government support for sport is administered. I have received several helpful suggestions from national sporting bodies and I intend to hold discussions with them shortly. It will be my aim to work closely with them. In addition we have considered the machinery of inter-departmental co-ordination and have concluded that our requirements in this instance can best be met by the appointment of a man of proved administrative experience from outside the Home Civil Service. I am very glad to tell the House that Sir Patrick Renison, until recently Governor of Kenya, has accepted my invitation to act as my principal 420 adviser in carrying out my responsibilities in relation to sport. Sir Patrick Renison's duties will include the chairmanship of a group of officials from the Departments concerned and the establishment of close liaison with the national sporting bodies. This appointment will be on a part-time basis and Sir Patrick Renison will take up his new duties immediately. I am sure that the House will be as pleased as I am that we have secured the services of this distinguished public servant in this task.

§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY
My Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that those of us who take an interest in sport, from all sides of the House and outside, will be grateful that he himself has got moving so quickly in this matter? May I ask whether he is aware that I personally hope that his Answers to Questions I put down in the future will be as satisfactory as this one has been?

§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAM
My Lords, I am almost overcome. But I am grateful to the noble Lady for this praise. I myself am very keen that this should be got under way. Of course, there is an immense amount of spadework to do. First, I think that what must happen is that this group of officials must meet and examine, one by one, all the various suggestions of the Wolfenden Report and other things and report on how far things have actually gone and how much more can be done straight away. We also have to consider carefully the question of an advisory committee and how it should be formed.

§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY
My Lords, may I clear up one matter with the Lord President of the Council, although I think it is probably unnecessary? Would the House be correct in understanding that he himself will maintain an overall responsibility for this, and that Sir Patrick will be responsible to him?

§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAM
Yes, my Lords, I retain exactly the same responsibility, but what was absolutely clear was that we must have a good chairman for the working group. I originally looked inside the Civil Service, but the more I thought about it the more I came to the conclusion that this was the right appointment.

§ LORD OGMORE
My Lords, as one who had experience of Sir Patrick Renison in Kenya and elsewhere, may I welcome his appointment and congratulate the Government in having secured Sir Patrick's services? In regard to the advisory committee, may I ask the noble Viscount not to forget the "tribal areas", because in one of the tribal areas, if not in two, rugby football has a very keen and warm place in their hearts.

§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAM
My Lords, I hope I shall not forget anything.

THE LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER
My Lords, on behalf of many of those with whom I have been in contact and who are concerned with this subject, may I thank the noble Viscount very much indeed for the extremely encouraging statement that he has made to-day, and assure him that, though many of us are disappointed because the details of the Wolfenden Committee on Sport could not be implemented, we shall regard this, I have no doubt, as a very satisfactory solution for the present time? May I also assure the noble Viscount of the support of those with whom I have any contact, and also express our delight that it is he himself who is going to be in control of this matter?

§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAM
My Lords, I am more than grateful to the right reverend Prelate.

LORD HAWKE
My Lords, would it be in order in future for us to address Questions to my noble friend the Leader of the House on the subject of performances in sport, such as those of the cricket teams in Australia?

§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAM
My Lords, the Government will assume such responsibilities as they can safely bear.