Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012

Lord Howell of Guildford Excerpts

Tuesday 9th October 2012 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

I take note of what the noble Lord has said. I do not want to go into the cuts element of that, but say only that I wholeheartedly agree with him that the military stepped into the breach, as it were, extremely readily, again with smiles, and that they should be wholeheartedly congratulated.

[Lord Howell of Guildford]

My Lords, I wish to reinforce what the noble Lord, Lord Wigley, has said. Will the Minister bear in mind that the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 will be a spectacular event and a major help to this country vis-à-vis its position in the Commonwealth network, which is growing in strength at all times? The fact that one of the biggest indoor athletic stadiums in Europe has been built bang on time and well within budget is a major achievement. Will the Minister tell all his colleagues in government that it should be supported to the maximum and that the public should give all the encouragement to it that they gave to the Olympic Games?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

That is very much noted. I thank the noble Lord very much; he is absolutely right.