HC Deb 13 May 1965 vol 712 cc682-3
15. Mr. Dunn

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice or direction he has given to local education authorities, relating to the proposed building plans for secondary schools, for the inclusion of adequate provision for youth, or for the addition of an independent youth club wing, giving full opportunity and facilities for the various activities, outside normal school hours; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Denis Howell

Advice about youth service accommodation attached to other educational buildings is given in my Department's Building Bulletin No. 20, published in September 1961, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. The Department's Architects and Building Branch is always willing to consider proposals for such accommodation and to discuss its design with education authorities and governors of secondary schools and I very much appreciate this opportunity of emphasising that developments along these lines are very much to be encouraged.

Mr. Dunn

Will my hon. Friend make his right hon. Friend aware of the fact that there is much concern in cities of high residential and traffic hazard that school playgrounds and playing fields are not available during the normal school holidays? Bearing in mind that capital expenditure on schools is so high, I think that we should extract the maximum utility value from it. Will my hon. Friend see that this possibility is examined, as well as the wider aspects of other community activities?

Mr. Howell

I am delighted with that supplementary question. I have made three speeches on this subject during the last month. [HON. MEMBERS: "What about some action."] I should like to have more action but, as hon. Gentleman opposite know, this is a matter in which local authorities exercise their own autonomy. One can only expect them to make progress, and we shall do what we can to keep this under review.

Mr. Tilney

I welcome this grant, but will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind existing boys' clubs and the effect that new building might have on them?

Mr. Howell

Certainly, but I am also equally interested in youth clubs. I think that it is very important to get youth work right across the field for both boys and girls.

Mr. James Johnson

Will my hon. Friend take steps to see that in future school plans the gymnasia are big enough for badminton and tennis clubs to play there in the evenings?

Mr. Howell

This is one of the things to which the Sports Council which I have set up is directing its attention. As a matter of fact, it is meeting at the moment to consider this subject, and I hope soon to issue advice to local education authorities and others on the matter.