§ 6. Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the concept and location of the proposed Welsh Sports City.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Barry Jones)Since the Sports Council for Wales submitted its report my right hon. and learned Friend has received 22 representations about the location of the sports city, including one which also questioned the concept.
§ Mr. AndersonDoes my hon. Friend agree that in the present economic climate it would probably be a wiser use of resources to concentrate on building up existing sports facilities in the Principality and creating modest and less costly new facilities?
§ Mr. JonesThere is a substantial measure of agreement between myself and my hon. Friend who is always making the point that his locality should have extra provision. I cannot hold out any hope of this scheme going ahead when there is so much demand for money for more schools, housing and hospitals.
§ Mr. GristDoes the Minister accept that many of us would indeed agree that at a time of financial stringency, such as this moment, the eventual building of this sports city must be delayed? What would not be acceptable would be a delay in accepting the recommendations of the Sports Council for Wales which went into the matter in great detail. It would not be acceptable to the City of Cardiff if there were delay in accepting those recommendations. Cardiff is the premier sports city of Britain, and it wants to make provision 1094 at least for the eventual building of that sports city.
§ Mr. JonesI think that both matters would have to be delayed. However, we shall consider very carefully all the representations that have been received on this issue.