§ 35. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he has yet made a decision concerning the erection at Hatfield new town of a public house and community centre provided under the same roof by a firm of brewers; and whether he will require that there be no connecting door or hatchway between the one and the other and that no proprietary registered club shall be permitted in the community centre.
§ Mr. BevinsA public local inquiry is to be held into this proposal, and my right hon. Friend's decision will be announced after he has studied the report of the Inspector. I cannot anticipate that decision by commenting now on the second and third parts of the Question.
§ Mr. HastingsMay I ask the Minister if he is aware that children seem to be attracted to the new towns, and also that in the new towns there is a scarcity of places of public concourse? Will he take special care that those that do exist do not become drinking dens?
§ Mr. BevinsYes, most certainly. I would rather not comment on this proposal at the moment, because there is to be a public inquiry, but from what I know of it, I applaud the motive behind it.