§ Mr. Hector Monro (Dumfries)I beg to move Amendment No. 9, in page 5, line 19, at end insert:
'including use for recreational purposes'.Those hon. Members who served on the Committee will remember that when we discussed the Question, "That Clause 6 stand part of the Bill", we put forward a strong case for the local authority being able to acquire land for recreational purposes. But we did not receive any reply to that debate, although in some ways the Minister did discuss it when we dealt with Clause 58, which is in much more general terms and in which grants and loans are available to private landowners as well as in respect of land owned by local authorities.9.45 p.m.
It was very clear in the two debates that those who had studied the Culling-worth Report, which makes out a clear case that there is no point in improving houses unless one improves the surrounding land to make the whole community attractive, thought that we should specifically add to Clause 6 a provision that land could be bought for environmental and recreational purposes. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would agree that this is something we should support. We want to see land bought for Community halls, community centres, playing fields, adventure playgrounds, parks and even sports contests—all of which are things which would surely commend themselves to the House. The Amendment would provide a useful power and if it were used wisely by the local authorities, it could do nothing but good.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonThe Amendment is unnecessary, although I certainly agree with the principle behind it. The hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Monro) has referred to Clause 58. If he reads that along with Clause 59, he will see that the provision of play spaces is an example of 162 the kind of expenditure which is likely to be eligible for grant under Clause 59.
We accept that the purpose of housing treatment areas is to improve the amenities as well as the houses. Clause 6 as drafted does not prevent in any way a local authority from using its power which is contained, as I have said, in Clauses 58 and 59, to the end described by the hon. Gentleman.
The hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel) explained to us the family wedding which detained him from moving this Amendment in Committee, and I think that we were able to have a short discussion on the point. I hope that I have explained the position again. There is nothing in the proposals of the hon. Member for Dumfries which cannot be realised in the Bill as it stands. We do not have to make his Amendment. In any case, it would be in the wrong place. It would, if they were defective, be more appropriate to Clauses 58 and 59 because they are the physiological Clauses which make a reality of his plea for recreational facilities. They give the Bill the life force, as Bernard Shaw would say, to make the recreational provisions the hon. Gentleman has mentioned into a reality.
§ Mr. MonroI thank the hon. Gentleman for his reply. I am sorry that he has not seen fit to accept the Amendment. It is a matter of judgment whether it improves Clause 6 or not but, in view of what he has said, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.