HC Deb 24 October 1979 vol 972 c200W
Mr. Richard Shepherd

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the USSR does not discriminate against the selection of Jews in teams competing in international sporting events; and if, in view of the authenticated reports of discrimination against Jews in the Soviet Union, he will seek to clarify the policy of the USSR on the selection of teams for international sporting events and the Olympic Games in particular before encouraging further sporting contests with that country.

Mr. Monro

Governing bodies of sport in this country and the International Sports Federation are independent of Government. I have no locus in their participation in international sporting events, including the Olympics, except that in the case of South Africa the Government accept the Commonwealth statement agreed at Gleneagles in 1977.

The Government deplore any form of anti-Jewish discrimination which may occur in the Soviet Union, whether in sport or elsewhere.