§ 2.40 p.m.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether recreational gardening interests will be represented on the proposed Regional Councils for Sport and Recreation.
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, it has been for the voluntary organisations concerned with outdoor recreation to elect their representatives on the councils from among themselves. Although recreational gardening organisations have not in the event secured direct representation, their interests will be taken into account and they could be co-opted on to the committees.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that, from that Answer, I conclude that the Government are in favour of the representation of recreational gardening interests on such bodies? Can she also tell me why the gardening interest does not appear under Clause 18 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, the Government are in favour of recreational gardening as part of the leisure activities of this country and, indeed, the National Society of Leisure Gardeners welcomed the proposal to join the new councils and promised that they would contribute positively and constructively to the work of the proposed regional councils. In so far as the constitution of these bodies is concerned, that was laid down in Circular No. 4776 issued by my Department and comes under outdoor recreation or countryside conservation—it can get in under either section—for representation on the councils.