RECOGNITION OF CHESS AND BRIDGE AS SPORTS

Early day motion 25, tabled 17 November 1999 by Evan Harris (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 23 members.

That this House notes that both chess and duplicate bridge have been accepted by the Olympic authorities as demonstration sports at the 2002 Winter Olympics, with a view to their full participation in 2006; recognises this as an opportunity for further success for the United Kingdom in activities where we are already amongst the best in the world and for increasing the teaching of both sports in our schools; welcomes the commitment by the Government to introduce legislation, when parliamentary time permits, to make the necessary amendments to the Physical Training and Recreation Act 1937, the Lottery Act 1993 and the Sports Councils Royal Charters to ensure that sports of the mind become eligible for funding from the Sports Council and from the National Lottery, but regrets the delay in bringing such a measure forward; and urges honourable Members to support equivalent legislation if it is introduced as a Private Member's Bill.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Liberal Democrat 7, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.