HC Deb 10 July 1984 vol 63 cc871-3
11. Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will increase the grant to the Pre-School Play Group Association.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. John Patten)

My right hon. Friend has made a grant of £361,000 for 1984–85 as a contribution to the PPA's national and regional expenses, giving it the largest grant made by the Department to any voluntary organisation. The Government are pressing the statutory sector, including the NHS, to achieve the best possible use of its resources, and the voluntary sector must also take stock from time to time and show that it is taking the same care to operate efficiently and effectively. Therefore, I have asked the Department's audit staff to advise the association on its financial efficiency. The chairman of the association has accepted this help and we will review the level of grant in due course. In the meantime I understand that the association may seek additional help for the purchase of computer facilities and we shall consider that sympathetically. This is an association which makes an enormous contribution to the day care of young children in this country and we support it enthusiastically.

Mr. Cohen

I am interested in the Minister's words and hope that they will be converted into money. However, is it not true that the grant gives the association absolutely nothing for inflation? Indeed, the fact that the Government announced it in June—three months too late—means that the cuts will be particularly harsh. Will that not now mean very real cuts in under-five provision, not only in the local education authority sector but in the voluntary sector as well? Is it not indisputable that Tory economic policy sacrifices the under-fives and their play groups?

Mr. Patten

This year the Government are supporting the voluntary sector at a higher level than ever before. I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman should choose to drag that sector into the political arena. [Interruption.] If the hon. Gentleman thought a little more before asking questions and spent rather less time trying to cabal against those of his honourable and better Friends who are seeking reselection, he would learn more about the problems of the voluntary sector. That invaluable association, which gets the biggest grant given by us to any voluntary organisation, is suffering from a few unfortunate financial problems, one of which involves a police investigation.

Mrs. Rumbold

Although I welcome my hon. Friend's statement about the PPA, will he ensure that, instead of leaving it for a few months before giving his Department's advice to the chairman of the organisation and her colleagues, he advises her earlier so that that organisation can continue doing the very valuable work which he has already acknowledged, which is fundamental to the voluntary work done in both the social service and educational sectors?

Mr. Patten

I take my hon. Friend's point. The Government appreciate the work being done, but they must also ensure that public money is properly spent. At the moment, the PPA's own auditors are examining the books, and there is a police investigation of one member of staff. We intend to put in our own auditors and financial advisers as soon as possible. Once that investigation has been completed we shall—as I said in my original reply —review the level of grant sympathetically.

Mr. Kirkwood

In the announcement that the Minister has just made, precisely what element of the grant allows for inflation?

Mr. Patten

We shall maintain the core grant at the same level as last year.

Ms. Harman

Is it not a sham for the Government to say that they are helping voluntary sector provision for the under-fives, given that the rate penalties and the capping imposed on local authority departments, together with the abolition of the metropolitan councils, will decimate support for such provision? Furthermore, theves Government are keeping the lid on voluntary provision for the under-fives, and the PPA grant is a very good example of that.

Mr. Patten

The hon. Lady knows that local authorities of all political colours which are prudent spenders are able to maintain an adequate level of expenditure, incluing expenditure on care for the under-fives. If the hon. Lady spent less time making these baseless allegations and more time advising her colleagues in local government to give up their tinpot, politically motivated attacks using ratepayers' funds, we would all be better off.