HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 cc301-2W
Mr. Monro

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the direct Government support for sport and recreation during each of the last six years; and what is his estimate for 1974–75.

Mr. Denis Howell

The following figures include relevant grants by the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Scotland and Wales and by the Sports Councils, Countryside Commissions and Tourists Boards in England, Scotland and Wales. They also include relevant grant by the Highland and Islands Development Board in Scotland and expenditure by the Forestry Commission in Great Britain on sport and outdoor recreation. Government support by way of rate support grant is not included.

£m
1968–69 3.5
1969–70 3.7
1970–71 4.5
1971–72 6.3
1972–73 9.1
1973–74 13.0
1974–75 (estimated) 15.5

Mr. Monro

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the expenditure on sport and recreation by the local authorities in each of the last six years.

Mr. Denis Howell

Complete records upon which an accurate estimate of all local authority expenditure on sport and recreation can be made are not available, but capital expenditure by local authorities, including education authorities, in England and Wales on sport and active recreation for the years 1967–68 to 1972–73 is estimated as folows:

1967–68 £21 million
1968–69 £23 million
1969–70 £23 million
1970–71 £28 million
1971–72 £37 million
1972–73 £56 million