§ 28. Mr. Mathersasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the number of applications received by the respective physical training committees in England and Wales for grants in respect of social centres since the physical training committees, appointed under the Act of 1937 were constituted; how such applications were dealt with; and the number and amount of the grants actually paid or passed for payment?
Mr. LindsayI am unable to state the number of applications for grant towards the provision or development of social centres received by the local committees under the Physical Training and Recreation Act. Up to the present 62 such applications have been transmitted by the local committees and of these 42 have been considered in the usual way by the Grants Committee and the Board of Education. In the case of 30 applications offers of grant have been made to a total of £275,735.
§ Mr. MathersIs the Minister aware that it is considered that too little is being done in this respect? Is nothing being done by his Department to increase the value of what is obtainable under this Act?
Mr. LindsayI should have thought that the figure I quoted of nearly £300,000 as having been offered in respect of these centres, which include youth centres and recreational centres of all kinds, is a substantial thing in one year.