INQUIRY INTO BOXING

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28927, 22 June 1959, Page 6

INQUIRY INTO BOXING

Premier Rejects Proposal

(N.Z. Press Association-Copyright) LONDON, June 19.

A House of Commons plea that the Prime Minister should set up an all-parliamentary committee to look into the “dangers” of boxing, was rejected by' Mr Macmillan yesterday. Dr. Edith Summerskill 'Laboun, a well-known opponent of boxing, had urged an inquiry because of the “concern in the medical profession about the medical dangers.” She was referring to a leading article in the medical journal. “Lancet” on June 5, which said the medical case against boxing ■ was now so strong that doctors ihad a clear duty to fight for its total abolition. Mr Macmillan told Dr. Summerskill he had not been persuaded that a Parliamentary committee would be appropriate. “I think we should look to the bodies responsible for controlling both amateur and professional boxing to pay due regard to all these matters,” he said. Dr. Summerskill urged the Prime Minister to consider the legal aspect. A young boxer who suffered permanent damage to the brain had no redress, nor was he entitled to any protection “from the men who exploit him in this unsavoury business.” Amid loud laughter, the Prime Minister commented: “I must be careful not to be drawn into a j controversy that might lead to ! something more than shadow I boxing.”