HC Deb 08 February 1968 vol 758 cc642-3
26. Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will issue a circular to commercial and industrial undertakings with sports facilities to see how they can assist local authorities in making their private facilities available for wider communal use.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The Sports Council is circulating to local authorities, regional sports councils and industrial concerns the report of a study group which looked into industry and community recreation at St. Helens, with the object of stimulating discussion on cooperative measures to secure the wider use on all available facilities.

Mr. Rose

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will she claim on every possible occasion the enormous amount of sports facilities held by industrial and commercial concerns which could be used for the community at large? Will she initiate more projects like the St. Helens project?

Mrs. Williams

We are, of course, aware of the facilities available for industrial and commercial enterprises, but I would remind my hon. Friend that the C.B.I. recently suggested the inclusion of industrial members on local sports advisory councils for the purpose of getting co-operation in the use of these resources.

Mr. Charles Morrison

Does the hon. Lady accept the conclusions and recommendations of the St. Helens Report, which seem relevant to many urban industrial areas?

Mrs. Williams

We do not suggest that this is the sole formula which may be a possibility but it is nevertheless extremely enterprising and adventurous.

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