HC Deb 02 August 1963 vol 682 cc182-3W
Lord Balniel

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that the advice he has given the Hertfordshire County Council relating to the building of the St. John's Youth Club in Hatfield, as to how they can obtain grant aid, has proved impracticable; and whether he will now ensure that this project, which has top priority in Hertfordshire, can proceed with the help of grant aid, without prejudicing other youth centre projects in the county.

Sir E. Boyle

The building of St. John's Youth Club, Hatfield, is being considered for inclusion in the 1964–65 youth service building programme. Recent discussions between officers of the local education authority and my Department will, I hope, lead to the settlement of outstanding difficulties. Any instalment of the proposal which features in the Ministry building programme will certainly be considered for grant aid without prejudicing other youth service projects in the county.

Lord Balniel

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that the regulations concerning grant-aid for building youth clubs, discourage voluntary efforts to raise money for these projects; whether he has taken note of the situation which has arisen over the building of St. John's Youth Club, Hatfield; and whether he will review the existing regulations so as to encourage voluntary money raising projects.

Sir E. Boyle

Sponsors of building proposals for voluntary youth clubs that are eligible for grant aid under the Social and Physical Training Grant Regulations, 1939, normally receive a contribution of 50 per cent. of the total cost from Exchequer funds, provided the total cost features in the Ministry's Building programme. I am aware of the difficulties facing St. John's Youth Club, Hatfield, as a result of the local education authority's decision to limit the cost of voluntary proposals for inclusion in their building programme submissions, but I hope that as a result of recent discussions between officers of the authority and my Department the problems that faced this club a short time ago will be solved. I do not consider that there is any need to review the existing grant regulations.