§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the extent to which the governing bodies of sport and individual sportsmen themselves decide whether or not to participate in contacts with sportsmen of South African nationality; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TraceyDecisions on whether or not to participate in sporting contacts with South Africa are for the 769W governing bodies of sport and individual sportsmen to make. The Government meet their obligations under the Gleneagles agreement by withholding public support for and discouraging such contacts.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent information he has obtained about the application of apartheid in sport in South Africa; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TraceyThis Department receives information on this and related topics from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and a number of other independent sources.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has offered to the rugby football authorities about the current visit to the United Kingdom of a group of South African students; whether he treats this group of students as an official South African team; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TraceyNo specific advice has been given to the rugby football authorities about the tour of a team known as the Hedgehogs. The Government remain committed to the Gleneagles agreement. All governing bodies of sport have been advised of our policy.