HC Deb 04 November 1977 vol 938 cc7-8W
Mr. Jim Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made with the series of leisure experiments set up in 1973 in Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Dumbarton and part of Clwyd.

Mr. Denis Howell

The report of a central steering group of officials entitled "Leisure and the Quality of Life" was published on 27th September by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Volume 1 describes and evaluates the experiments which were jointly sponsored by my Department, the Department of Education and Science, the Scottish Education Department and the Welsh Office in association with the Arts Council of Great Britain— including the Scottish and Welsh Arts Councils— and the Sports Councils. Volume 2 contains detailed supporting papers. Copies of both volumes have been placed in the Library. The experiments themselves were carried out by local groups, set up by the local authorities in partnership with local and regional arts and sports organisations and actively involving many voluntary organisations and individuals from the communities concerned. I intend that the findings of the report, particularly the importance of greater community involvement in the regeneration of urban areas, will be among the subjects discussed at a series of regional conferences on sport and recreation that I am arranging.

Mr. Jim Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish the study on "Recreation and Deprivation in Inner Urban Areas."

Mr. Denis Howell

The study was published on 2nd November. It was commissioned jointly by myself, the Chairmen and Directors of the Government Agencies concerned with recreation and the representatives of the local authority associations, and was carried out by a research worker in my Department. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. The study is a research document, not a statement of Government policy. It examines the effect of policies for sport and recreation on opportunities for deprived groups in our inner city areas. Its findings will he among the subjects discussed at a series of conferences to be organised by the Regional Councils for Sport and Recreation in the first half of next year.

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