§ 11. Mr. Boxasked the Minister of Education what plans he has to establish a national recreation centre in Cardiff on the lines mentioned in the Wolfenden Committee Report on Sport, 1960.
§ Sir E. BoyleNo proposal for such a centre has been made to my Department.
§ Mr. BoxIs my right hon. Friend aware that the only existing national recreation centre in Wales is in Snowdonia, 200 miles from Cardiff, and that there is appropriate accommodation in Cardiff at Maindy Barracks, to which the War Office is hanging on like grim death? There are adequate playing fields and the barracks are occupied for only a small part of each year. If the matter is submitted to my right hon. Friend's Department, will he consider setting up a national recreation centre at Maindy Barracks?
§ Sir E. BoyleIn answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I was not aware of all those facts. In answer to the second part, I would be prepared to consider for inclusion in the youth service building programme any proposal by the local education authority to provide additional sports facilities for young people in Cardiff.
§ Mr. G. ThomasWill the Minister say who would bear the expense? The hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Box) is absolutely right that the facilities are there if the Minister would pay for them.
§ Sir E. BoyleIf a project is put up to me for the youth service building programme, the cost will be met in the normal manner.