HC Deb 06 March 1973 vol 852 cc220-2
14. Mr. Astor

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a further statement as to the progress being made by the Rowntree Trust in distributing the £3 million provided starving their wives and children?

Sir K. Joseph

The trust's arrangements are now well advanced and it will be able to start receiving applications from families on 2nd April, in the first instance from those whose children are aged between 10 and 15. It has appointed a chief officer to administer the fund and a consultative as well as a management committee to ensure that it has the necessary expert advice.

I am writing to local authorities and interested voluntary bodies giving them information about the operation of the scheme and inviting their help.

Mr. Astor

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the setting up of the fund was widely welcomed in all parts of the House? May I thank him for the further statement which he has been able to make? Is he aware that many of us feel that this sum of money—or even double this sum—is likely to be insufficient? Can he give an estimate of the number of children who will be eligible for support?

Sir K. Joseph

No, I cannot at this stage. The help from the fund is intended to complement the help available from the statutory local and voluntary services. We must wait a few months to see the demand before forming any judgment.

Mr. Carter-Jones

I accept the right hon. Gentleman's statement about the £3 million and I welcome it. If it proves, as many of us believe, to be small in relation to the problem, will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that more money will be made available to meet this very real problem?

Sir K. Joseph

No. The hon. Gentleman knows that the Government must consider a whole mass of competing priorities. I cannot give that assurance.

Mr. John Hall

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the results of recent research which indicates that an increasing number of handicapped children are being born to mothers who have previously had an abortion? If experience shows this research to be well founded, does it mean that we shall have to make available much more money than is now being made available to help such handicapped children, unless we change our policy on abortion?

Sir K. Joseph

My hon. Friend has raised a question far too technical and clinical for me. If he cares to put down a Question I will give him as good an answer as I can provide.