PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AND THE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION (8 February 1993)

That this House notes with interest the remarkable contrast between the Rugby Football Union Authorities' attitude to those players who, according to the Pugh Report, received individual payments of ú30,000 or more for taking part in the 1989 South African Centenary Tour and continue to play Rugby Union, in several instances for their countries, and its attitude to Mr Steve Pilgrim, the Wasps RUFC full back, who has been banned from playing Rugby Union for 12 months after playing one match as an amateur with Leeds RLFC reserves; believes the treatment of Mr Pilgrim breaches both basic sporting principles and civil rights; and noting the extensive public subsidies received by the Rugby Football Union through Government Departments, the Sports Council and the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, calls upon the National Heritage Committee to investigate whether the granting of such public subsidies is appropriate in the light of the Rugby Football Union's blatantly discriminatory practices.

Sponsored by:
Mr David Hinchliffe (Labour)