HC Deb 20 July 1944 vol 402 cc364-5W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what position in the priority list will be occupied by places of worship which, as a result of damage or destruction by enemy action, will be restored or rebuilt after the war; and what position will be occupied on that list by an entirely new building, such as a church hall or institute, where a similar type of building did not previously exist, or where a small or temporary structure which did exist has been neither damaged nor destroyed.

Mr. Hicks

The question of the Churches' building requirements has been discussed with the Churches Main Committee, which represents for this purpose the major Christian bodies in the country. While no definite priorities can yet be fixed in relation to other urgent needs, it has been agreed with the Committee that special consideration should be given to the repair of war damage, the rebuilding of destroyed churches in areas where there has been a great loss of churches and the building of churches in proposed new housing areas or in existing housing areas where sites have been secured to meet urgent needs.