§ 4. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representation he has received from London borough councils regarding a grant from his Department towards the cost of social play centres on local authority housing estates; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. CoxI thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, but is he fully aware of 241 the problems which exist in large housing estates in London and other parts of the country which unfortunately do not have either social or recreational facilities? I am told on inquiry that this is because of the cost involved in the overall cost of a housing project. Is it not possible for the Department seriously to consider making grants available, because such facilities would be a great asset to communities which unfortunately lack them?
§ Mr. EyreI have great sympathy with the hon. Gentleman's views about the nature of the problem. He will be happy to know, with regard to play provision on local authority housing estates, that my Department recently issued recommended standards for the provision of unsupervised but equipped play space, and subsidy is payable on the cost of providing such spaces.