§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he or one of his Department's Ministers will attend the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch in an official capacity.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsWith much regret, I have written to the New Zealand Prime Minister informing him that I cannot accept his kind invitation to represent Her Majesty's Government at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. The reason for this decision is that my new responsibility for speeding up planning procedures makes it impracticable to undertake this long journey in present circumstances.
I am grateful to the Chairman of the Sports Council, Dr. Roger Bannister, for agreeing to represent me personally at the Games, which I am sure will prove to be a great sporting and Commonwealth occasion.