HC Deb 26 January 1944 vol 396 cc674-5
26. Sir Herbert Williams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether, having regard to the abnormal demand for entertainment in London, both by those in the Services and by the civilian population, he is prepared to authorise the necessary repairs to places of entertainment that were put out of use by enemy action.

Mr. Hicks

If as a result of war damage there are insufficient facilities for entertainment for the Forces and the civilian population in a particular locality, my Noble Friend has always been prepared to consider sympathetically an application for the reinstatement of any place of entertainment provided always that labour is available in the locality after the needs of essential war requirements (including the repair of war-damaged houses) have first been met.

Viscountess Astor

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that it is far more important to get homes for children than it is even to get entertainment for their parents? Is it not far more important to get proper houses?

Sir H. Williams

Is my hon. Friend aware that on any Sunday afternoon hundreds of children can be seen standing for two hours waiting to get into the cinema?

Major Petherick

Is the Minister aware that many of us could not hear a word he said on either of the two last answers?

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