HC Deb 01 March 1960 vol 618 cc1007-8
12. Sir L. Plummer

asked the Minister of Works how much money has been paid in the way of restoration grants for Moor Park Mansion; what consideration he has given to a recent application for a further grant; and what amount of money is involved in this application.

Lord John Hope

In 1957 Rickmansworth Urban District Council was offered a grant of £9,360 for structural repairs. In the event £9,079 was paid, showing a saving of about £280. The Historic Buildings Council for England has recently considered a further application by the urban district council for a grant mainly towards the cost of redecorating the main hall, including the important wall paintings. The total estimated cost of this second programme is between £4,450 and £4,950, and on the Historic Buildings Council's advice I have offered to make available the savings, of £280, on the first grant plus an additional grant of £2,140 or 50 per cent. of the actual cost, whichever is less.

Sir L. Plummer

Is the noble Lord aware that this house is used as part of the headquarters of Moor Park Golf Club and that this golf club refuses to admit Jews to its membership simply because they are Jews? In view of this disgusting and Hitlerian attitude, will the Minister reconsider his decision and see to it that not one penny of the taxpayers' money is spent while this discrimination is observed?

Lord John Hope

Even if the hon. Member's accusation were accurate—[An HON. MEMBER: "It is not."]—it really would not be for me to comment. It is not within my responsibility to do so. I did not authorise a grant to the golf club. I authorised it to the urban district council to start with.

Sir L. Plummer

Has not the Minister some concern for the social purposes for which the money is used? Here is a flight lieutenant out of Her Majesty's Services who fought against Hitler and who is refused admittance to this golf club simply because he is a Jew. [An HON. MEMBER: "No."] I take the responsibility for what I say. Why are we to go on spending money to allow this form of Nazism to exist in this country?

Lord John Hope

I can only ask the hon. Member to realise that the grants which I authorise on the recommendations of the Historic Buildings Council are for beautiful buildings, including this one, which are for the public's enjoyment. What goes on in other aspects in these buildings from time to time has nothing whatever to do with it, even if what the hon. Member has said is true—and it has been denied that it is true.