asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals he has for the derating of community halls; and how he proposes to define a community hall for this purpose.

The Government's commitment to abolish rates on bona fide community halls remains firm. Details of my proposals for defining community halls will be made known when the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Bill, 1977 is published.

Does the Minister accept that there is concern among parish hall committees as to whether the running of dances or the odd bingo session will exclude them from this provision? Could he give any indication as to what will qualify as a community hall?

It will be spelled out in the legislation as I have said. Local authorities will already have received some details about the proposals in order that they may be able to strike rates.

Could the House be given the information that has apparently been furnished to local authorities?

I am giving the information that the commitment to abolish rates on bona fide community halls remains firm. Details of the proposals will be spelled out in the Bill.

Could I press the Minister on this point? It appears from his reply that certain information has been given to local authorities that has not been given to the House. I am asking him to give this information here.

I did not mean to imply that anything was being withheld from the House. Final definitions must await the Bill. Bona fide community halls, once they are community halls——

Is the Minister refusing to answer? Are we to get the information or not?

Next Question.

On a point of order, has the Minister finished answering a legitimate supplementary question?

The Chair decides when sufficient supplementaries have been asked. We have had six, which is not bad.

It is a simple question; what is the bona fide community hall?

Question No. 22.