HC Deb 08 December 1949 vol 470 cc2073-4
35. Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the extent to which the Women's Voluntary Services are subsidised by public funds; and whether a balance sheet and accounts are available.

Mr. Ede

The cost of the Women's Voluntary Services borne on the current Home Office vote is some £166,000. My Department pays the bills and accounts for the expenditure. To this figure must be added the cost to the Exchequer in respect of rent, rates, repairs, office furniture, stationery and telephones. The separate cost of those services Which are not met from the Home Office Vote could only be ascertained by an unjustifiable expenditure of time and labour. No balance sheet or accounts are published by the Women's Voluntary Services in respect of the money for which my Department accounts.

Mr. Cooper

Is my right hon. Friend aware that according to the comments made by the voluntary workers of this organisation, they feel that the organisation should be entirely voluntary or else should change its title, and does my right hon. Friend consider it justified to investigate this matter to see if this service should continue in its present form and continue to draw public funds?

Mr. Ede

I think that the services of the women who are members of this organisation are voluntary, and they are to be commended.

Miss Bacon

Can my right hon. Friend say what has been the result of the talks that he has had with all the other chief women's organisations on the special position of the W.V.S.?

Mr. Ede

I arranged, as I think my hon. Friend knows, for the W.V.S. and those organisations to meet in a conference of their own at which no man should be present. I have not yet heard any result from that conference.

Mr. Haire

Would my hon. Friend say what conditions a women's organisation must fulfil in order to qualify for a grant and whether the Women's Co-operative Guild or the Townswomen's Guild would qualify?

Mr. Ede

If they do the appropriate services.

Mrs. Manning

Have the Government any call upon the Women's Voluntary Services for work of any particular kind, such as the work they did in Tanganyika, or are these offers made direct by them without a call from the Government?

Mr. Ede

We frequently have a conference with the leaders of this organisation when there is some need for help for particular causes and people, and I ask them if they will assist us. I am bound to say that their response is always quick.

Mr. Cooper

Are any salaries paid to any of the workers in this organisation?

Mr. Ede

Yes, Sir, there are some salaried workers in the organisation.