HL Deb 14 November 1963 vol 253 cc123-5

2.58 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 have now reached a decision upon the problem of helping individual governing bodies and organisations concerned with competition in amateur international sport on a financially reciprocal basis; and whether they will make a statement.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)

My Lords, it has been decided that in suitable cases the Government will give financial support to British amateur teams to enable them to take part in international sporting events abroad. A small Committee will be set up, under the chairmanship of the Lord President's principal adviser on sport, to consider applications, which will have to be sponsored by national amateur sporting organisations, and to make recommendations. The Committee will consist of officials and representatives of the Central Council of Physical Recreation and the British Olympic Association, and, in appropriate cases, the Scottish Council of Physical Recreation will be invited.

The question of support for the British teams going to the Olympic or Commonwealth Games will be dealt with separately, in the light of the Government's general policy as represented by the establishment of the new Committee. I would stress that the Government's aim is to supplement and encourage the voluntary contributions which have made possible British sporting achievements abroad, and not to replace them. The popular appeal of the sport in question and the ability of the team to attract substantial support from other sources will be taken into account in assessing applications.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that this is a real victory? Is he also aware that this is a victory for all sides of this House, who have really wanted to see something done about this? I should like to thank the noble Earl for that Answer. May I go on, after that wholehearted exhibition of gratitude, to say that I hope we shall all agree on what are reasonable cases among the applications that are submitted? May I ask him one further question, which possibly he will not be able to answer: Can he inform the House as to whom the principal adviser on sport to the Lord President will be, because I understand that we are losing Sir Patrick Renison?

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

I do not know who Sir Patrick Renison's successor will be. I am very glad the noble Lady is happy about this, and I hope that she will continue to be so.

LORD BOOTHBY

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl to be a little guarded when he refers to our achievements abroad in the field of sports, until we have had some?

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I would remind the noble Lord that we have had some achievements at home in sport. We have beaten the All Blacks, and that takes some doing.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

May I also rush into the Government's defence on this occasion, and remind Lord Boothby that recently we have had some wonderful triumphs abroad, particularly among the women athletes?

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, one word on behalf of soccer: we have recently beaten the rest of the world.

LORD BOOTHBY

What about golf?

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

We have also beaten Russia at athletics. I am sure that these victories are highly creditable to the Government.

LORD WISE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether his reply covers the activities of school leavers, our youth and teenagers, in reference to their sports and activities?

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My answer and the Question on the Paper cover only amateur teams who are going to compete abroad.

LORD WISE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether he will take into consideration that the teams have to be built up year by year by the youth of the country, who have to go up in stages until they reach international positions?

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

I quite see that that is a consideration, which the Committee will no doubt bear in mind, but the question of grants is only for amateur teams going abroad.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, in view of what has been said by the noble Lord, Lord Boothby, may I ask the noble Earl whether he can arrange a contest between the noble Lord, Lord Boothby, and Dorothy Hyman?

LORD BOOTHBY

I would not take part.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

I hope that it would be relayed on television.