§ 34. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Southern Regional Association for the Blind, unlike the other regional associations, has refused the applications for affiliation of the appropriate District Councils of the 1546 National League of the Blind; and, in view of the fact that the Southern Regional Association is in receipt of public funds, if he will make representations as to the advisability of affiliation of the District Councils of the National League of the Blind.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithIt is for the Association to determine what bodies should be affiliated to it and my right hon. Friend does not consider that it would be appropriate for him to intervene in an issue of this kind.
§ Mr. BeswickIs the hon. Lady's right hon. Friend also aware that all the other regional associations accept the affiliation of the National League of the Blind and that the Southern Region cannot do its best work because the appropriate district of the National League is not affiliated to it? In view of the fact that this Association has public funds, will the hon. Lady ask it to look into the matter again?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithIn reply to the hon. Member's plea, which on the face of it sounds plausible, I remind him that hundreds of voluntary bodies work with the Ministry. It would be a grave departure from our practice to tell those bodies how to run their affairs beyond the fact that we associate with them and work with them when we are satisfied that their affairs are properly conducted. It would be a grave departure from precedent if we told a body that it must or must not take any particular organisation into membership.
§ Mr. BeswickWhy is the Association not ready to accept affiliation? Why should it discriminate?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI must leave membership to the Association.