HL Deb 17 February 1965 vol 263 cc491-2

2.54 p.m.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps are being taken to obtain a greater utilisation of playing fields by protection, when not in use, with temporary covering in wet weather and by closer co-operation between the Education Authorities and Voluntary Organisations for the use of each others' grounds and premises to mutual advantage.]

LORD BOWDEN

My Lords, it is ot great importance to obtain the maximum use of playing fields, but it would be impracticable to envisage a general policy of covering them in wet weather. Greater utilisation can however be obtained by better construction and maintenance, by proper supervision of pitches to see that they are not over-used and by the provision of all-weather surfaces, which are finding increasing popularity. The Joint Circular issued in August, 1964, by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Department of Education and Science stressed the value of co-operation between the local education authorities, local authorities and voluntary organisations in the joint planning and dual use of sports facilities. The Department of Education and Science will be issuing later this year a new edition of Building Bulletin No. 10 (School Playing Fields and Hard-Paved Areas) which will contain advice on the dual use of playing fields facilities.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that interesting reply, may I ask whether he is aware that in countries like South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, in the South of France and Italy, much greater utilisation of playing fields is obtained with a better surface because there is not so much water falling on to these playing grounds? Surely, with all the scientific knowledge now available, and with new materials becoming available, it ought to be possible to arrange for something that is reasonably cheap and easily able to be moved to keep excess water off the grounds, which would enable far greater utilisation of fields to be obtained. In view of the difficulty of getting an adequate amount of ground and the waste of time in building, is it not important to achieve greater utilisation?

LORD BOWDEN

I agree with the noble Lord. We have made inquiries about the possibility of getting polythene sheeting. It seems to cost about £1,000 an acre; the sheet weighs several tons, and it requires 24 men to put it down and take it up. It was used at Tottenham Hotspur's ground and they found it not unattractive, since otherwise they lost their "gate" in wet weather. But I am afraid that ordinary schools cannot be expected to finance such enterprises, although they are found rewarding to a First Division football team. That is where the matter rests at the moment. If the noble Lord has any information about new techniques which has escaped the survey of my Department, I should be grateful to have it in writing.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that further reply may I say that I was aware of the information he has given. But it seems that much more could be done with some simple and easy form of temporary covering for part of the field, and it would be of great advantage if research could be carried out.

LORD BOWDEN

My Lords, I should like to renew my offer. If the noble Lord has any special information, we should be grateful to have it.

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell me why this was not done in the thirteen years when the present Opposition were in office?

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, has any British sportsground become waterlogged since Royal Ascot was washed out in June, 1964?

LORD BOWDEN

My Lords, I am afraid I cannot tell the noble Lord that.