HC Deb 12 June 1969 vol 784 cc1652-3
23. Mr. J. H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek powers to provide additional facilities for motor car and motor cycle trails and racing circuits.

Mr. Denis Howell

No, Sir. The provision of facilities for motor sport is a matter for the clubs concerned or for local authorities.

Mr. Osborn

Surely the Minister is aware that there is a demand not so much for international trial facilities but for ordinary trial facilities throughout the country, particularly in the Yorkshire and Humberside area. I have already written to him about this. Can any of his organisations do anything to help these bodies who wish to provide such facilities?

Mr. Howell

Yes. We are especially aware of the hon. Gentleman's continuing interest in this matter. As he says, we have been in correspondence about it. I am glad to confirm that the appropriate Sports Councils, the East Midlands as well as the Yorkshire and Humberside Sports Council, will be happy to co-operate with the motor sports to find suitable facilities in that part of the country. As both these Sports Councils have representatives of all the local authorities on them, I think this is the best way to proceed.

Mr. Dalyell

Does my hon. Friend not think that there is a certain moral obligation on hon. Members who put forward pet schemes like this at least to give us an estimate of the cost of such schemes when they profess to be in favour of cutting capital expenditure?

Mr. Howell

That is a very pertinent political point. But, as I am so glad to welcome support for sport from any part of the House, I leave that comment to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Crouch

Will the Minister bear in mind that there are other views about this type of sport, and will he take into account the views of people who have to live near such circuits?

Mr. Howell

It is because the Government have taken account of the noise nuisance to people living near the suggested area of this sport that previous applications, in which the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Osborn) has been interested, have been rejected. That is not to say that we ought to disregard the devotees of this sport. Sport is essentially a matter where the individual should follow his interest. Those who follow motor car racing are just as entitled to a share in the sum as those who prefer football.