§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions or correspondence took place between the Minister responsible for sport and members of the Marylebone Cricket Club or its officials before 13 July concerning the proposed tour of South Africa.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneIn the light of my hon. Friend's proposal that the MCC should send a touring side to South Africa, I gave the advice required to meet Her Majesty's Government's clear obligations under the 1977 Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport.
§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions or correspondence have taken place between the Minister responsible for sport and the officials of the home rugby unions to discuss the visit to Western Province, South Africa of certain players.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI have acted, as my hon. Friend would expect, to meet the Government's obligations under the Commonwealth statement on apartheid in sport, making it plain to those concerned that that would discourage their participation in this event. As in all such cases, final decisions about participation rest with the governing bodies and individuals themselves.