HC Deb 01 February 1955 vol 536 cc889-90
40. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to expedite the building of halls and community centres in new housing areas.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to increase Exchequer assistance for the provision of village halls and community centres in new housing areas and elsewhere; and similar recreational facilities. My right hon. Friend has asked education authorities to consider giving an even greater degree of support than hitherto to projects of this nature; and he hopes also to entertain more applications from local authorities and voluntary bodies for grants under the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Could the hon. Gentleman make a more definite statement than that? Is he not aware that in many of these new housing schemes there are no communal facilities at all? People are isolated from the towns and have to travel long distances, and this has become a really urgent problem.

Mr. Stewart

I agree, and we hope that the new measures which we are taking, and the exhortations which we are addressing to the local authorities, wilt have the desired effect.