HC Deb 23 February 1961 vol 635 c775
22. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Minister of Education whether he will now set up the committee of inquiry into the country's sporting facilities recommended by the Wolfenden Report on Sport and the Community.

Sir D. Eccles

This is one of the matters arising from the Wolfenden Report which is under consideration.

Mr. Goodhart

Is my right hon. Friend aware that paragraph 281 of the Wolfenden Committee's Report on Sport and the Community says of the proposed Sports Development Council that Before it can intelligently enter upon its career it will need to collect a great deal more information than is at present available"? Is he aware that the Report adds: Indeed, its first task might well be…a complete country-wide survey of the existing facilities. It is almost unbelievable, but it is true, that this comprehensive information is nowhere available. Is it not important that this task should be carried out? Will my right hon. Friend give a lead?

Sir D. Eccles

I agree with my hon. Friend. We need a good deal more information, but it is not very easy to determine exactly what we want. I do not think, for example, that a figure showing the number of lawn tennis courts in the whole country would be much use. We have to think about exactly what information to ask for.