§ Sir D. NEWTONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Village Clubs' Association has received from the Ministry of Agriculture Returns, under Section 8 (4) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act, 1919, from 19 English county councils, all of which show a great need in many villages for village halls and clubs; whether he is aware that the executive committee of the association have unanimously stated that they are unable to cope with the work under the conditions recently laid down by the Development Commissioners; and what action, if any, he is prepared to take in the matter?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I am informed that, as the Association felt unable to accept the conditions suggested by the Development Commissioners, the matter has been reconsidered, and a grant from the Development Fund on a £ for £ basis, amounting to £1,140, has been approved, and one-half of this sum has already been paid to the Association.