HC Deb 11 April 1978 vol 947 cc1164-6
6. Sir T. Kitson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further steps he is taking to encourage the work of voluntary bodies in relation to social services.

8. Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further steps he is taking to encourage the work of voluntary organisations in social services.

Mr. Ennals

I have constantly stressed the importance of collaboration with voluntary organisations and the harnessing of community effort, through such means as the good neighbour campaign. I have also invited local and health authorities to consider what other assistance they can offer to voluntary bodies in addition to financial support such as further rate relief, provision of accommodation, transport or services, free or at cost.

I have raised the amount available for grants to voluntary bodies in 1978–79, under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, to £5.384 million, an increase in real terms of more than 54 per cent. over the comparable amount for 1973–74, the last year of the previous Government.

Sir T. Kitson

In view of the recent report on the death of Simon Peacock, which is similar to other deaths and cases of battered babies, does the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is a need to help overworked social workers and for greater co-operation between voluntary organisations to minimise similar cases arising?

Mr. Ennals

There is no doubt that the contribution of some voluntary organisations, in particular the NSPCC, is extremely important in child care. I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman that more can be done not only by voluntary organisations but by individuals, first, to give some assistance, friendship and support to families who have problems and burdens and also, when they are concerned, to make sure that a doctor or social worker is aware of their concern.

Mr. Arnold Shaw

Is my right hon. Friend aware that very much depends on the attitudes of local authorities in this matter? Is he aware, too, of the niggardly regard which is paid to this matter by certain local authorities, among which I include my own?

Mr. Ennals

It is true—I deeply regret it—that in the restraints that have been applied on public expenditure some local authorities have sought to reduce the assistance given to voluntary organisations. This is a very unwise form of economy. Not only have I encouraged them to continue to give support to voluntary organisations but, through the joint financing between health authorities and local authorities, I have ensured that voluntary organisations can receive the benefit of joint financing.

Mrs. Chalker

Will the Secretary of State tell the House what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to stimulate voluntary giving in order that many of these voluntary societies can help themselves?

Mr. Ennals

This is not a good moment at which to reveal any discussions that I have had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who will appear on the scene fairly soon. However, I may tell the hon. Lady that I have been giving additional support to the voluntary organisations in a variety of ways, such as grants to help them with training for the certificate of qualification in social work, the purchase of short-life leasehold property for use as shelters, day centres, and so on, and for funding partnership schemes under which, with the agreement of the local authority concerned, a selected voluntary organisation may be asked to undertake a particular project for a limited period of time.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I hope that the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Sir B. Braine) will wait a moment. I made a mistake in not calling him earlier, as he realises.

Mr. Carter-Jones

Does my right hon. Friend agree that though this statement is helpful he ought to have words with professional organisations to allow individuals and voluntary organisations to give help in the social services? Whenever he gives financial help, will he make sure that the House and the public generally know how much he gave, and for what purpose?

Mr. Ennals

If the hon. Gentleman will table a Question on the last point I shall do so, to indicate the range of grants that my Department has given during the course of the past year to voluntary organisations.

On the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, of course it is important to encourage not only organisations but individuals to help. This is very much the purpose of the good neighbour campaign that is now being run largely by a co-operative of about 40 national voluntary organisations.

Sir B. Braine

Since the right hon. Gentleman clearly believes that there is a role for voluntary social service to supplement our hard-pressed statutory services, does he accept the gloomy conclusion of the Wolfenden Report that in future voluntary effort can be sustained only by public financing, or will he urge the Chancellor of the Exchequer to begin positively encouraging private and corporate giving, as is done in the United States and other countries?

Mr. Ennals

I think that the voluntary organisation movement is in a very healthy situation. It has come through a difficult financial stage very well. Owing to some of the problems of inflation that face them, I, as Secretary of State, increased the amount of money made available to national organisations.

As for the Wolfenden Report, we are consulting on that excellent document and I will be making a further statement when we have considered some of the proposals contained in it.