Conseil International du Sport Militaire (Hansard, 4 June 1996)

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)
My Lords, the United Kingdom has not been a member of the Conseil International du Sport Militaire since 1952. Worthwhile membership of the CISM would require the UK to participate in, and on occasion host, a considerable number of formal events. Such a commitment would place a significant strain on manpower and financial resources. In keeping with the "amateur" ethos of sport in the services, the Armed Forces prefer to arrange fixtures with teams from other nations on an informal basis, within manpower and financial restrictions.

§ Baroness Perry of Southwark
My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for his reply. Is he aware that the United Kingdom was a founder member of that council, which was formed at the end of the Second World War to celebrate peace through sport and to bring together the military of previously warring countries to join in sporting activities? Is he further aware that the membership of the council has now grown to over 120 countries? Is it not very sad that this country, whose record in peacekeeping is so superb, should not be involved in an activity of that kind?

Earl Howe
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend. I was indeed aware of the facts to which she alludes. Our decision not to participate in the CISM is regularly reviewed, most recently last year. So far, the three services have said that they prefer to allocate their time and their resources, both public and private, to other types of sporting event. Some of those events are international, with a particular emphasis on the Commonwealth. The clear message from the three services is that they would not wish those events to be put in jeopardy on account of any renewed commitment to the CISM.

§ Lord Howell
My Lords, does the Minister agree that this is one of those moments in time when professional sport in this country needs to encounter what the Minister quite rightly described as the "amateur ethos of sport"? Does he accept that it would be good for professional sport if the discipline and self-discipline found in Armed Services sport, which has made a great contribution to British sport over the years, were made readily available to some of our professional sports 1152 teams? In that sense, does he feel that the expenditure would be well worth undertaking, both for British sport and in terms of creating international good will and friendship between armed forces throughout the world who are our allies?

Earl Howe
My Lords, it is interesting that a member of the party opposite should suggest additional public expenditure. That said, I agree with the noble Lord about the value of sport and international contacts between the military. He may be interested to know that our services have participated in recent sporting events at varying levels with Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the West Indies, Thailand, South Africa, Zimbabwe and others. The cost of those events is met mainly from private funds. I recognise the force of some of the noble Lord's remarks, but there is a limit to the extent to which resources, both public and non-public, can be put.

§ Lord Dean of Beswick
My Lords, if the financial situation in which the Armed Forces find themselves operates against rejoining or participating in that organisation, why cannot they apply to the lottery fund for such purposes? It seems to be a hands-on grab for people in the know in the art world.

Earl Howe
My Lords, that is a very interesting suggestion. An approach to the lottery fund would have to be taken forward by individual units rather than by the MoD. I am not in a position to judge how such an approach would be viewed by the lottery board.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that until recently France has not wished to be a full member of NATO—not for some 30 years? Would he welcome France's full participation in NATO? In the light of the Question and in view of the Government's concern to cut the defence budget to ribbons, does he not feel that it would be an excellent gesture to ask France to sponsor our membership of the Conseil International du Sport Militaire?

Earl Howe
My Lords, I am willing to appoint the noble Lord as spokesman if he believes that to be a sensible way forward. I believe that a continuing issue of resources is involved. It is not simply a matter of money, though the sums are potentially significant; it is also a matter of manpower. CISM events would require individuals to be released from their units at what may be inconvenient times and the hosting of events would require considerable numbers of personnel to be made available.