§ 105. Miss WILKINSONasked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board is withholding its consent to the purchase of a playing field for the new county school for girls at Ealing as part of the policy of Memorandum 44, and where it is intended to advise the authority that the girls should play their games?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Duchess of Atholl)The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The site proposed by the authority was housing land, of which there appears to be a shortage in the neighbourhood, and, accordingly, after consulting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, my Noble Friend suggested to the authority, early last November, that they might endeavour to secure a part of the sports area of Gunnersbury Park as a playing field for the school. The authority have explained to me the difficulties which they feel in adopting this suggestion, and my Noble Friend is considering the matter further.
§ Mr. MARCHIs it not the fact that the reference to housing is a second thought on the part of the Council? Was is not intended at first for playing fields?
Duchess of ATHOLLI do not think it is for me to give an answer as to what the Council first thought.
§ Miss WILKINSONDoes the Noble Lady think it desirable that part of a public park should be used for the purposes of a secondary school when there is other land available?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not also a fact that at least 50 acres of Gunersbury Park are going to be devoted to playing fields?