HC Deb 31 March 1971 vol 814 cc392-3W
Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he can now state what compensation is to be paid to the Cricket Council due to the cancellation of the South African cricket tour.

Mr. Cockeram

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is yet able to announce his decision concerning compensation to be paid to the Marylebone Cricket Club because of the late cancellation of the South African cricket tour planned to have taken place in 1970.

Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total sum of money he expects to pay to the Cricket Council as a result of the cancelled South African tour; and when an announcement will be made.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

My right hon. Friend has now considered this claim which was submitted by the Cricket Council at the invitation of the previous Administration, and has decided in all the circumstances that there is an obligation arising from the undertakings of previous Ministers to reimburse the Council to the extent of the ascertainable as distinct from the notional losses incurred. Accordingly, an ex gratia payment will be made to the Council to cover abortive expenditure and the net losses of revenue which would otherwise have been obtaned from television and radio contracts. The amount has been assessed at £75,054. Parliament will be asked to sanction this expenditure by the Department of the Environment by means of a Supplementary Estimate to be presented in due course. In the meantime the money will be advanced from the Contingencies Fund.