To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the Community Fund on funding for village halls. [122203]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with the Community Fund on funding for village halls. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs, who has lead policy responsibility for village halls, is chairing a group looking at the issues that currently face village halls. Officials from this Department, as well as representatives from the Community Fund sit on the group along with other external stakeholders. The group first met in February 2003 and plan to meet again in July.