HL Deb 14 July 1964 vol 260 cc106-8
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 will make a comprehensive statement upon the progress made by the Advisory Committee, under the chairmanship of Sir John Lang, and upon the result of applications made for financial assistance to enable teams to take part in amateur international sports events overseas; and whether any such applications are still under consideration.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND SCIENCE (THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH)

My Lords, since the Advisory Committee was set up, 33 applications have been received. Of these 13 have been approved and 5 rejected. Of the remaining 15, 2 have been postponed, with the agreement of the applicant; 11 are the subject of discussion with applicants, in order to clarify various features of the applications, and 2 are under consideration by the Committee. The Committee is meeting regularly and is, I think, making satisfactory progress.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, in thanking the noble Earl for that Answer, may I ask him, first of all, this very simple question? May we take it that where decisions are still pending they will not be reached too late to take effect for the teams concerned?

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, I am sure that the noble Lady need have no fears in that respect.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

I thank the noble Earl. May I now ask him something of which I have given him a certain amount of detail? Is he aware that the International Hockey Federation has honoured four of our umpires by selecting them to officiate at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this year, but that their expenses will be about £450 each? In view of the fact that the hockey enthusiasts have raised about £1,000 towards the estimated total of £1,800 required, would he ask Sir John Lang's Committee to meet the balance?

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, as the noble Lady is aware, the Advisory Committee are not concerned with the Olympic Games. I do not think the Government can help umpires to proceed to Tokyo. A separate grant has already been made to the British Olympic Association towards the British costs of the Olympic Games, and it is for them to use the money as they see fit. I fear that Her Majesty's Government cannot meet any further costs in connection with the Games.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that, however hard one tries to be nice, one never seems to get anywhere? May I ask him whether he would not agree that it is a compliment that this country is the only one which has been asked to provide four umpires? Would he not further agree that it is most disheartening when people have raised £1,000 of the £1,800 required, that the Government still do nothing?

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, if the noble Lady would care to put down another Question on the Order Paper, I will do my best to answer it.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, I shall be delighted. I hope that is a promise.