§ 1. Sir Wyn RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what grants have been made available to contribute towards the repair and construction of local community and youth facilities in Wales. [25632]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales(Mr. William Hague)A total of £472, 000 is being made available under the voluntary youth services, village halls and community centres programme for 1996–97, and a further £1.9 million from the strategic development scheme.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsDoes my right hon. Friend agree that these grants are a first-class investment in sustaining and promoting community life across Wales? Will he take every possible step to ensure that the public are aware of the grants?
§ Mr. HagueMy right hon. Friend draws attention to an important subject. Since 1994, more than £9.5 million pounds has been provided by the Welsh Office for youth and community projects. In addition, nearly £12 million of national lottery funds has been allocated to this subject. For the future, the Rural Wales White Paper confirmed that changes would be considered to existing grant schemes to assist local community facilities, and we are also studying what help and advice is available to local groups which run village halls and similar facilities.
§ Mr. Martyn JonesThe Secretary of State must be aware of the huge increase in crime and drug abuse that has, I am sad to say, occurred in my area. While grants are all very well, does he agree that we need regular revenue funding proposals to tackle drug abuse?
§ Mr. HagueGrants are an important part of the fight against drug abuse, as are the efforts of the police throughout Wales. In addition, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary has launched a campaign against drug and alcohol abuse, and we will be working on that and providing further details in the coming weeks. I look forward to working with all authorities in Wales in pushing that campaign forward.