§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will call a conference of Commonwealth sports Ministers to discuss the implications of the Gleneagles agreement on British and Commonwealth sportsmen.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneNo. The implications are well known and were clearly taken into account when the Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport was agreed in 1977 and discussed again by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1981.
§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will request the Sports Council to visit South Africa to ascertain whether the terms and conditions described by the Gleneagles agreement still exist.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe council undertook a fact finding mission only three years ago. It is clear that the372W Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport remains a statement relevant to sporting conditions in South Africa and Commonwealth attitudes to them. I have no intention of asking the Sports Council to visit South Africa.
§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the conditions described in the Gleneagles agreement whereby selection of teams is made on the basis of race, colour or ethnic origin still exist in South Africa.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI am satisfied that the Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport remains applicable to sporting conditions at all levels in South Africa and to the concern evident throughout the Commonwealth for genuine improvements in those conditions.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the achievements to date of the operation of the Gleneagles agreement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneSince the Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport was agreed by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1977 — reflecting the worldwide boycott already established by sport itself—there have been few sporting contacts of any significance with South Africa. During this period, it is generally recognised that the international sporting boycott has helped to maintain international multiracial sport and in particular events like the Commonwealth Games and the cricket World Cup. There have also been signs of some progress towards multiracial sport in South Africa, in some sports and at some levels.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from British sportsmen and sports bodies during the past 12 months calling for the abandonment of the Gleneagles agreement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI have received no representations from sporting bodies. My substantial postbag has included some letters on this subject from individuals. My hon. Friend will understand that the abandonment of the Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport requires a consensus to that effect amongst Commonwealth Heads of Government. I perceive no likelihood of such a consensus at present.