HC Deb 01 March 1938 vol 332 cc925-6W
Sir J. Smedley Crooke

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many local authorities have taken powers under Clause 4 of the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937, to acquire, lay out, and equip holiday camps or camping sites, within or without their area, either with or without charge?

Mr. Lindsay

No proposals have so far been submitted by local authorities for the provision and lay-out of camps and camping sites under the powers conferred upon them by Section 4 of the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937, but two proposals have been submitted by voluntary organisations and a grant has been made in each case.

Sir J. Smedley Crooke

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether the grants committee of the National Advisory Council for Physical Fitness has paid any grants to organisations concerned with physical fitness; and, if so, what were the methods by which these organisations were selected?

Mr. Lindsay

My Noble Friend assumes that the question relates to grants made to national voluntary organisations under the provisions of Section 3 (1) (c) of the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937. Such grants have been made to 17 national voluntary organisations (including the Central Council of Recreative Physical Training and the National Playing Fields Association). These grants were made after consideration on their merits of the applications of the voluntary organisations concerned.

Sir J. Smedley Crooke

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps are being taken for the training of leaders for the various branches of physical activity that may come under the scope of the National Advisory Council for Physical Training and Recreation?

Mr. Lindsay

Pending the establishment of the National College of Physical Training, grants have been made to the Central Council of Recreative Physical Training, in accordance with the arrangements outlined in paragraph 21 of the White Paper (Cmd. 5364), to enable them to provide, and to assist in providing, training courses for teachers and leaders. By this means a considerable number of courses, both for men and women, of varying types and duration have been held in different parts of the country, including summer vacation courses and training camps. The continuance and further development of these courses is contemplated in the coming financial year.