§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is yet able to indicate what share of the additional expenditure for his Department under the construction industry package and the expanded partnership arrangements for inner city areas will be allocated to sport; and what part he expects sport and recreation to play in the solution of inner city problems.
§ Mr. Denis HowellAbout £68 million of projects have been approved under the March inner cities construction package. Of this amount, £5 million is for sport and recreation facilities and parks, and £1.3 million for community facilities, some of which have a sporting or recreational aspect.
Inner area programmes for implementation from 1979–80 are now being developed in the seven partnership areas and in the 15 other authorities named in my right hon. Friend's statement on 8th November. It is not possible at this stage to quantify the resources which will be allocated to sport. However, the provision of facilities for sport and recreation has a very important part to play in the renewal of inner areas. The Sports Council and this Department are working to identify and promote the kind of facilities best suited to the needs and wishes of inner area residents.