Orders of the Day — Finance Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 May 1953.

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Photo of Mr Julian Snow Mr Julian Snow , Lichfield and Tamworth 12:00, 20 May 1953

I am sorry, Sir Charles, but with the noise that is going on I did not hear you.

I wish to make two points to the Chancellor. I do not think he was here when my right hon. Friend the Member for Fulham, West (Dr. Summerskill) was making her speech, but if he and the Financial Secretary are not impressed with the arguments employed so far, would they listen to this short one relating to that speech which, in my view, was entirely undesirable for two reasons?

The first point is that I think the right hon. Lady used a certain amount of medical evidence, every bit of which could have been applied to other sports, including Rugby. Secondly, and this is a point I feel very strongly about, I think we all feel proud of the history of sport in this country and its general effect on manners. The speech of the right hon. Lady was a perfect piece of evidence of the rather sinister influence in our life at the present time which appears to idealise effeminacy in men and masculinity in women.