PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
RECOGNITION OF CHESS AND BRIDGE AS SPORTS (No. 2) (25 November 1999)

That this House notes that both the World Chess Federation and the World Bridge Federation have now been granted recognition by the International Olympic Committee as recognised federations pursuant to Rule 29 of the Olympic Charter; accepts that this may lead in due course to further success for the United Kingdom in sports where it is already amongst the best in the world and to greater demand for the teaching of chess and duplicate bridge in 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 councils 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.

Sponsored by:
Dr Evan Harris (Liberal Democrat)