AMICALE PARLEMENTAIRE DU RUGBY A TREIZE

Early day motion 330, tabled 18 December 2003 by David Hinchliffe (Labour). Signed by 37 members.

That this House warmly welcomes the establishment of Amicale Parlementaire du Rugby a Treize, a Rugby League Parliamentary Association in France; recalls that, in one of the most disgraceful episodes in sporting history, rugby league in that country was banned as a sport by the Vichy Government, its assets being removed and never returned; notes that the French Government's recent commission of inquiry into sport during the Occupation confirmed the injustice suffered by the treizistes; is concerned that the question of reparation has not so far been addressed; further notes that the European Commission has written to the French Government about discrimination against rugby league; welcomes the new Association's efforts to lift the ban on the sport being played in certain municipal stadia and campaign for its introduction into the curriculum for future PE teachers; wishes the Association well in its efforts on behalf of rugby league; and calls upon the British Government to support the European Commission's representations to the French Government.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Liberal Democrat 3, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.