§ 61. Mr. Walker-Smithasked the Minister of Education how many rural and how many urban authorities have made application for grants for village halls under the Physical Training and Recreation Act; and how many of these applications have been granted in respect of each type of authority.
§ Sir D. EcclesSince Circular 283 was issued I have received 53 new applications for such grants. One was from a rural authority, one from an urban authority, and the remainder from voluntary village hall committees. I have had to refuse two applications; the remainder are under consideration.
§ 62. Mr. Walker-Smithasked the Minister of Education if he will identify the regulations or other statutory provisions which make the institution of an independent committee of management a condition precedent to a grant in respect of village halls.
§ Sir D. EcclesThere are no statutory provisions for the management of village halls, but I have followed my predecessors in making it a condition of grant that the responsibility for their management should rest with a properly representative committee.