Public Parks: Funding

Baroness Billingham Excerpts

Monday 30th October 2017 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hollis of Heigham (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Billingham (Lab)]

My Lords—

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe) (Con)]

My Lords, I hope that both noble Baronesses will agree to give way appropriately. We have time to hear both if they are brief.

[Baroness Billingham]

My Lords, my question relates to sport, which we do not talk enough about in this House. Public parks have been incredibly important in the provision of sporting facilities, from tennis courts to football pitches. They are indeed the grass roots of sport. Why is there such a reduction in courts and pitches? It is important that this is halted. What action are the Government taking to provide more facilities, not fewer?

[Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth]

My Lords, the noble Baroness raises an interesting point, specifically on courts and pitches. I will ensure that she gets a response to her question, but it goes beyond today’s narrow Question on support.