HC Deb 18 December 1979 vol 976 cc177-8W
Mr. John Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to meet the chairman of the Sports Council.

Mr. Monro

We meet frequently, and will continue to do so. Indeed, I saw the chairman only yesterday.

Mr. John Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what grants the Sports Council has received over the last 12 months; and what its anticipated budget is for 1980.

Mr. Monro

The Sports Council's grant-in-aid for the current financial year is£15.4 million. I shall announce the figure proposed for next year when the Estimates for 1980–81 are presented to Parliament.

Mr. John Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what remuneration the chairman and other members of the Sports Council receive.

Mr. Monro

The chairman of the Sports Council receives remuneration of£9,378 per annum for a commitment of three days per week; one vice-chairman receives a salary of£4,710 per annum for a commitment of two and a half days, the other a salary of£2,826 per annum for one and a half days. The other members of the council are unpaid.

Mr. John Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which members of the Sports Council will be visiting South Africa in January; and whether he expects to receive a further report from them.

Mr. Monro

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Sports Council's fact-finding mission. I understand that this will be headed by Mr. Dick Jeeps, chairman of the council and include one other council member, namely, Mr. Bernard Atha, one of the council's two vice-chairmen. The mission will also include Mr. Basil D'Oliveira, the former international cricketer, and Mr. Arthur Gold, president of the European Amateur Athletics Association; neither is a member of the council.

I have not received any report from the Sports Council on this matter. Its decision to send a mission came from a resolution tabled at its meeting on 1 October. The handling of the mission's report is entirely a matter for the council.