§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the discussions with other European Ministers under the auspices of the Council of Europe concerning sport.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI attended a conference of European Ministers with responsibility for sport, held in Brussels from 19th-21st March. The conference discussed a variety of issues, including the place of sport in society, the rôle of public authorities in the development of sport, the influence of politics on international sport and opportunities for mutual co-operation. The conference recommended to the Council of Europe the adoption of a European "Sport for All" charter setting out the principles for the development of sport, and the estab-266W lishment of a committee for the development of sport within the council's permanent structure. It was agreed that groups of Ministers with responsibility for sport should meet from time to time to discuss topics of mutual concern, and that a further conference should be held in about two years' time. I hope that it will be held in this country.