Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Howard of Rising (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 4 March 2010.

Olympic Games

Question: My Lords, could the Minister say what action has been taken to ensure that genuine sports fans can obtain tickets for the 2012 Olympics, as they have been able to in Vancouver?

Answer: That is a very important point. We are concerned about the affordability of tickets in order that all can participate in the Games and not just those who can afford the sometimes very high prices at certain major events. We will not be able to do exactly what the South Africans did because the World Cup allows the country to dictate its own terms for the sale of tickets. We are governed by Olympic rules—the International Olympic Committee—and we cannot give favours to British people over Europeans because of our membership of the European Community... And therefore we are concerned to have a large number of tickets at a low price, as it was quite clear from the planning for the Games that that will encourage the fullest participation of our people.

Secondary information