HC Deb 13 March 1956 vol 550 c208
34. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he includes grant assisted expenditure on community centres in mining areas as expenditure by local authorities which should now be delayed.

Mr. J. N. Browne

Local authorities were informed on 17th February that new loans or grants would, for the time being, be sanctioned only in cases of special urgency. Any proposal by a local authority to incur expenditure on community centres will be judged by this criterion.

Mr. Hughes

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that many of these new mining villages are isolated and badly need special community centres; and will he not put them in the category of urgency?

Mr. Browne

I cannot prejudge the issue. Each case will be considered on its merits within the context of my reply.