§ 47. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Education if he will now relax restriction of expenditure on village halls where, at the moment, none exist.
§ The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford (Mr. Storey) on 11th November.
§ Mr. CrouchIs not the Minister aware that there are scores of villages which today have no hall whatsoever, and that, as a result of the activities of the Dorset Fire Service, a large number of halls have been closed? Is he further aware that, in the village of Marnhull, which has a population of 2,000, no fewer than seven halls have been closed, and there is no place where even a whist drive may be held this winter?
§ Sir D. EcclesI am obliged to the hon. Member for bringing this case to my notice. I shall keep it in mind when deciding what we can do.
§ Mr. FernyhoughIn view of the announcement of the Ministry of Works when freeing building licences a few days ago, can the Minister say why he has imposed restrictions on local authorities which are not imposed on the rest of the community?
§ Sir D. EcclesBecause the building of a village hall attracts a grant from my Ministry, and we have to take a new decision as to whether, having regard to other calls on our resources, we can make such grants.