Children's Play (Hansard, 4 March 1993)

§ Ms. Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will establish a dedicated budget for children's play from central Government.

§ Mr. Brooke
The Sports Council will take over the National Children's Play and Recreation Unit's responsibilities for information, and playwork education and training after 31 March 1993 and fund these from its main budget. This represents a very positive way forward, and I see no need to introduce any other financial arrangements.
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§ Ms. Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will visit the National Children's Play and Recreation Unit to discuss the removal of ring fencing of money allocated to the unit by the Sports Council.

§ Mr. Brooke
In November, my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, met the chairman and vice-chairman of the play unit to discuss our plans for supporting children's play after 31 March 1993. The issue of funding after this date is a matter for the Sports Council and I therefore see no need for a further meeting with the play unit.

§ Mr. Tipping
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the representations he has received about the future of the National Children's Play and Recreation Unit.

§ Mr. Brooke
[holding answer 3 March 1993]: I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 19 January, Official Report, column 131. Between 15 January and 2 March, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, and I received 85 letters from hon. Members, 28 from local authorities, 50 from voluntary sector play organisations, 34 from other organisations and 17 from members of the public. A significant proportion of this correspondence consists of identical letters reaching the Department by a number of different routes, and fails to appreciate that funding will continue to be available to play through the Sports Council.