§ 2.37 p.m.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy 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, through the Minister for Sport and Recreation and the Commonwealth Secretariat, seek to convene a meeting of the Sports Ministers or other representatives of all Commonwealth nations to reach a common policy on South Africa's apartheid in sport.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords, this would be a matter for the Commonwealth Secretariat if it were established by consensus of member-Governments that a meeting was desirable.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, while agreeing with the Minister, may I ask whether some pressure might be exerted on the Commonwealth Secretariat to take the initiative in this matter? Is he aware that many of us have felt for some time that the prestige of the Commonwealth Secretariat ought to be emphasised, and, in view of the fiasco at the Olympic Games, is not action desired to prevent it from being repeated at the Commonwealth Games?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I agree entirely with my noble friend that we must do everything possible to avoid a repetition of the deplorable circumstances that attended, and nearly wrecked, the other Games. In regard to the Commonwealth Games, in parti 814 cular, I think that we would all wish to do everything possible. We have very great confidence in the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr. Ramphal. That he is fully aware of this problem, I personally know; and I am sure that he will do what he thinks appropriate and what will prove helpful rather than counter-productive.
§ The Lord Bishop of SOUTHWARKMy Lords, while I am grateful for that reply and have every sympathy with the Question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, may I ask the Minister to take into account the playing of games with countries where authoritarian régimes suppress minorities, whether they be coloured or white?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSYes, my Lords. I think that our attitude is generally on the lines that the right reverend Prelate has described. We have made our attitude and policy crystal clear in every forum and to every country whatever its form of Government.
§ Lord SLATERMy Lords, in view of that part of the Minister's reply to my noble friend where he said that he had every confidence in the Commonwealth Secretary-General, may I ask whether he is aware that when these people were granted independence we were given to understand that they had within their territories people who would be able to take over the development of their own countries? Does not this matter of not only Commonwealth sport but international sport come within the operation of their running their own countries? Is my noble friend aware that it is of great interest to every one of us that Her Majesty's Government do not at this juncture try to exert the pressure asked for by my noble friend?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I am sure that my noble friend Lord Slater would agree that our best form of pressure in a matter like this, in an association of 36 sovereign independent countries, is to give a good example, and that this is what this country is doing.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that some of those countries which refrained from going to the Olympic Games desire 815 that there should be this consultation so that there should be full co-operation at the Commonwealth Games?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I could not say what is the generality of view among the 36 members of the Commonwealth countries at this moment. All I know is that feelings and beliefs on this question vary widely and are deeply held. Therefore Her Majesty's Government, like any other individual member of an equal association like the Commonwealth, before they move in this matter must consider very carefully indeed whether their initiative would prove helpful or would be a further exacerbation of an already difficult and dangerous situation.