§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment in what respects his Department makes provision for the recreational needs of children either directly or through organisations or bodies it supports.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy Department makes provision for the recreational needs of children directly through the urban programme and through the scheme of special provision for Merseyside announced recently by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.
Children's play schemes are included in the "recreation" element of the urban programme. In 1908–81 the total commitment on this element amounted to £19.4 million but it is not currently possible to isolate the proportion spent specifically on children's recreation schemes. To date £20,000 has been offered from private and voluntary sector bodies towards such schemes on Merseyside, and the Government will match this amount pound for pound.