HC Deb 30 November 1998 vol 321 cc55-6W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to(a) ban or (b) place restrictions on women's boxing. [61008]

Mr. Banks

The Department has no plans either to ban or to place any restrictions on women's boxing.

I appreciate the strength of feeling on this issue, but I should stress that the Government do not control boxing—or, indeed, any other sport in this country. We are, of course, keen to see that the proper medical safeguards and regulations are in place for all sports, especially those which may carry a higher level of physical contact, and believe that the sport's governing bodies should remain primarily responsible for this.