§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assistance the Government now gives to golf clubs; and on what criteria it gives this assistance.
§ Mr. RossThe provisions of the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937 enable me to assist local voluntary sports organisations and district councils in providing new, or improving existing, facilities for sport. Under these powers, seven golf clubs in Scotland and two district councils providing golf courses received capital grants in 1965–66. In the current financial year offers of grant have so far been made to seven golf clubs.
To qualify for grant, a golf club must meet the same conditions as are applied for grant purposes to other sports organisaitons. Their facilities must be available to the general public without discrimination and for a modest annual subscription; the club must also show (a) that the new facilities encourage more people to play and cannot be provided without assistance, and (b) that they can meet at least half the cost of the new facilities from other sources and can maintain them.