HC Deb 27 March 1979 vol 965 cc119-20W
Mr. Channon

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Official Report the five conditions set out in the letter of the Minister of State to the Central Council of Physical Recreation which could lead Her Majesty's Government to support the resumption of sporting links with South Africa.

Mr. Denis Howell

I presume that the five conditions referred to are those included in a letter sent by my private secretary on 30 November last to the general secretary of the Central Council of Physical Recreation, and which stated:

  1. (i) the constitution of the governing body and its affiliated clubs must be truly non-racial;
  2. (ii) the development policy of the sport must be non-racial;
  3. (iii) quality coaching must be available at all levels without regard to race or colour;
  4. (iv) facilities and opportunities in clubs affiliated to the governing body are genuinely non-racial as shown, for example, in bars, toilet facilities and in team selection at all levels;
  5. (v) there is a complete absence of racial discrimination in the arrangements for spectators at sporting events.

Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to support the resumption of sporting links with South Africa until there is convincing evidence that these principles are met and enshrined in sport in South Africa, and until such moves are fully accepted by the South African Government as part of their general policy.