§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the death of the boxer, Mr. Johnny Owen, he will take steps to establish strong regulations covering the conduct of professional boxing in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MonroI am sure that the whole House mourns the loss of such a fine young sportsman as Johnny Owen. But I believe that we need to keep a sense of proportion about the effect his death in the United States should have on boxing regulations in the United Kingdom.
There are already firm regulations covering professional boxing in the United 236W Kingdom, laid down and supervised by the British Boxing Board of Control. Boxing, like every other sport, must run its own affairs with minimum interference from the Government, and I do not believe that the stage has been reached in this country to justify formal Government interference.
Nonetheless, I am in regular touch with the British Boxing Board of Control and hope to meet it soon to discuss this and other matters.