§ 19. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what representations he has received from religious denominations to relieve ministers of religion and church officers of the legal obligation to provide notice boards for the display of public notices concerning Acts of Parliament and local government byelaws or regulations; and, in view of modern circumstances, if he will consider this matter with a view to securing a modification or the abolition of this requirement.
§ Mr. BevinsMy right hon. Friend has not received any representations on this point; and on the information at present before him he knows of no grounds for thinking that any amendment of the relevant statutory provisions is called for.
§ Mr. SorensenWould the hon. Gentleman not agree that the original arrangement that notices should be affixed to churches appertained to an age now long past? Under present circumstances, is 1079 there any reason why they should be affixed to all kinds of churches and chapels?
§ Mr. BevinsIt is a rather curious position in that there is no statutory provision, so far as I have been able to ascertain, that churches and chapels should provide these notice boards. On the other hand, certain Acts require local authorities, especially parish councils, to exhibit notices near the main doors of churches and chapels. I think that on the whole it is a useful practice and that we should be rather sorry to see it discouraged.