§ 13. Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement about the proposed Scottish Sports Council; and whether this Council will be empowered to make grants to local sports clubs.
§ Mr. MonroThe Sports Council for Scotland will have a wide discretion in making grants from the funds available to it and it will be open to the Council to assist local voluntary sports clubs where it so decides.
§ Mr. SproatMay I thank my hon. Friend for that reply and congratulate him and his predecessor on achieving a different system of disbursement of grants for Scotland than obtains in England? What is the earliest date by which applications for these grants will be entertained? Will it be before April, 1972?
§ Mr. MonroI thank my hon. Friend for his remarks. As he knows, the present system was wound up in June and the new system will begin in April next year. I hope to announce the members of the new Sports Council later in the autumn. I hope that soon after the body is set up and has decided its policies, it will be able to receive applications.
§ Mr. DalyellWhat consultations did take place on this new scheme with the governing bodies of sport in Scotland?
§ Mr. MonroThe Government have of course been in close touch with the Scottish Council for Physical Recreation, and in the light of all the considerations, we believe that this is the best result for Scotland.
§ Mr. DalyellThen the answer is that you have not consulted them.