27. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will initiate discussions with local authorities about the possibility of agreeing standards of play-space for children in all housing schemes in which development takes the form of flats.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe hon. Member will, I think, be pleased to know that this matter is already under consideration by the Housing Standards Subcommittee of my Central Housing Advisory Committee, which is taking evidence about it from local authorities and others.
Mrs. ButlerWill the Minister give an assurance that when he receives the report from the Committee he will do everything he can to speed this up? The high cost of land and the shortage of it is compelling many families with children to live in blocks of flats, and often they have no place outside where they are allowed to play. In view of the fact that this is essential to happy childhood and that many planning authorities already require the provision of space for cars, is it not equally important that playing space standards should be provided as quickly as possible for children in new housing schemes?
§ Mr. BrookeThe sub-committee is proceeding with its work as rapidly as possible and will report to the main committee in due course, but I hope it will present a report which I shall be able to commend warmly to local authorities.