HC Deb 15 December 1988 vol 143 cc734-6W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what grants are available to local authorities to enable them to establish sports centres if they so wish; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moynihan

The Sports Council provides grants towards the provision of sports centres by local authorities; as does the Department under the urban programme. I am delighted that the number of sports halls in England has risen from 770 in 1981 to 1,117 now; participation in sport and recreation has risen from 17 million in 1977 to 23 million now.