§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Sports Council and the Central Council of Physical Recreation with a view to resolving the current differences between them.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe arrangements for the funding of the CCPR by the Sports Council are a matter for them, and I have no power to intervene.
I had hoped that it would be possible for the two bodies to reach agreement without arbitration and I deeply regret that this has not been possible. As a result of the initiation of arbitration proceedings, money provided by the Government for the development of sport will now be absorbed by expensive legal fees. It cannot be in the interests of the governing bodies of sport or of anyone else concerned with sport for resources to be used in this way. I hope that the legal costs will be kept to an absolute minimum.