§ 22. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce legislation to enable him to purchase gravel pits for the purpose of constructing Olympic Games-size rowing courses.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Denis Howell)I am aware that there is no rowing course of Olympic Games standard in the United Kingdom, and I am giving consideration to this in the Government's programme for developing sports facilities generally. I will bear in mind the suggestion of the hon. Member that gravel pits might be used for this purpose.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerWill the Under-Secretary look particularly at those gravel pits near the M.4 and London Airport, where it looks as though, by linking them up, the pits might be put to some such useful purpose?
§ Mr. HowellYes, Sir. The accessibility point is extremely important, but the great difficulty is in finding a stretch of water at least 1¼ miles long. But we are looking into the subject.