Sport and the 2012 Olympics Legacy

Huw Merriman Excerpts

Wednesday 24th June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Stewart McDonald]

rose—

[Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)]

rose—

[Chris Bryant]

I have already taken one intervention from the hon. Member for Glasgow South (Stewart McDonald), and I am sure that he will have an opportunity to speak later, but I have not yet given way to the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle (Huw Merriman).

[Huw Merriman]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for allowing me to interrupt his fantasy. What he is saying is not correct: it does not apply throughout the country. My local authority, Wealden, has redeveloped all its swimming pools with the help of the Government’s house building premium,

[Chris Bryant]

What I am saying is perfectly correct. It comes straight from the Amateur Swimming Association. Local authority swimming pools all over the country face problems because a small majority were built before 1985. They are less attractive facilities, and they therefore require significant investment. Such properties are difficult to maintain.