§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the re-examination of grant programmes and grant criteria for inner city sport and leisure facilities and grants and loans to voluntary clubs in accordance with the recommendations of the Sports Council seminar held in Manchester in November 1977.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI welcome the Sports Council's concern to play its full part in promoting suitable recreational projects in inner city areas. The 1975 White Paper on sport and recreation stated the Government's view that the highest priority for grant aid should be given by the Sports Council to such projects. I am currently holding a series of conferences in the regions at which a major theme is the contribution of sport and recreation to alleviating problems in areas of special need.