HC Deb 18 June 1959 vol 607 c628
13. Mrs. Mann

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now increase the annual grant given to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for propagating safety in the home.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

As the hon. Member is aware, my right hon. Friend is anxious that the Society should increase its income from non-Government sources, and it was to assist the Society in carrying on its work while endeavouring to do so that provision was made for grants to be paid to it in the current year. My right hon. Friend is keeping in touch with the Society about the results of its efforts.

Mrs. Mann

Am I to take it that this means there will be no increase in the grant this year? Is that not a serious mistake after the Government have spent a great deal of money on the national campaign "Guard that Fire"? The effect of the campaign will be lost unless it is followed by immediate action to organise and to establish the home safety committees?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The hon. Lady is aware that as this is a voluntary organisation it is naturally of interest what it does from its own resources. I know that the hon. Lady is a very active member and worker on behalf of this cause. The Society wants to know what it will get before it tells us what it will do. We think it should tell us what it will do before it knows what it will get.