§ 53. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health the approximate financial assistance made by county councils for the provision of playing-fields during the last 10 years; the acreage made available by this assistance; and whether it is a recommendation of the Ministry that such assistance to private organisations responsible for providing playing-fields should also involve the right of county councils to appoint representatives on the governing body of those private organisations?
§ Mr. BernaysI regret that the information asked for in the first two parts of the question is not available. The answer to the third part is in the negative.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes not the hon. Gentleman feel that it is very necessary to secure adequate financial statistics regarding all assistance given from public sources to private concerns, and that, where money is paid out of the public purse in any circumstances the payment should be accompanied by adequate public representation?
§ Mr. BernaysWith regard to the second part of the supplementary question, the county councils have had power to give money to voluntary associations only since the passing of the Physical Training and Recreation Act, and this, of course, would be incidental to the administration of that Act.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer at least one of the three points I have put to him?
§ Mr. BernaysI have already answered one. Only two points were put to me. With regard to the other one, I have said that statistics are not available, but I will make further inquiries if the hon. Member desires it.
§ Mr. George GriffithsDoes not the hon. Gentleman know that the county councils 1418 give assistance to voluntary associations also?
§ Mr. BernaysThe question on the Paper related, not to voluntary associations, but to playing fields, and naturally my answer related to playing fields.