§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he intitated on, and what response was made to, his proposal that the functions of the charitable body, the Association for Children's Play and Recreation Ltd., should be assessed by the Sports Council.
§ Mr. TraceyIn addition to discussions with the two organisations directly involved and with other interested Government Departments, the views of the Association of County Councils, the Association of District Councils and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities were sought. Written comments were also received from voluntary organisations. All the organisations consulted accepted that some degree of change was necessary if arrangements for children's play were to be improved, though several have expressed misgivings about the proposed merger. I remain convinced that this option offers a secure future for children's play and I welcome the fact that negotiations between the Sports Council and Play Board are well advanced.