HC Deb 08 May 1996 vol 277 cc178-9W
Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the factors which led him to conclude that Play Wales would be a more effective organisation when funded by local authorities as proposed in his consultation paper, "The Welsh Office and Local Government—Redefining the Relationship". [27393]

Mr. Gwilym Jones

My right hon. Friend and I have yet to reach any conclusions about future funding arrangements for Play Wales. Devolving responsibilities for funding Play Wales to local government is one of the options we will be considering.

Mr. Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for how long, on what basis and for what purpose the Welsh Office provided funding for Play Wales; and what plans he has to ensure that local authorities will maintain this provision. [27394]

Mr. Jones

Direct government financial support for Play Wales has been provided by the Welsh Office since 1988. The grant, which is provided under the appropriation legislation, supports the development of children's play by funding the staffing and administration of Play Wales. If it is decided that this funding should be devolved to local government it will be for councils to decide on levels of provision in the light of their priorities.

Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce legislation to remove the registration and inspection requirements for the provision of supervised activities used by children under the age of eight years and to relax the registration requirements for holiday play schemes in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [28235]

Mr. Hague

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health gave to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 18 March 1996 at column82.

Mr. Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the reviews carried out in respect of Play Wales in 1993 and 1995; and which conclusions from these reviews led to his present proposal to carry out a further review of Play Wales. [27396]

Mr. Jones

Following the reviews carried out in 1993 and 1995, the then Secretaries of State and I concluded that the best way forward would be the continuation of the existing funding arrangements for Play Wales. In doing so, however, we made clear our intention to look again, after local government reorganisation, at whether the Welsh Office should continue to be responsible for direct funding of Play Wales.