§ 2. Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had on the level of funding allocated to the voluntary service unit.
§ Mr. MeadowcroftDoes the Minister accept that there is a great need for co-operation between Departments, and especially with the Department of the Environment, about the urban programme, so that voluntary bodies concerned about the effects of the Government's policies on capital and revenue spending on local voluntary bodies can be taken into account?
Is it not difficult for voluntary bodies to find their way through the maze of differing grants from Departments — for example, section 64 grants from the DHSS as well as the voluntary service unit. Will the hon. and learned Gentleman take the lead in bringing together the 509 various Departments to assist voluntary bodies to find the best way of obtaining grants for their capital and revenue needs?
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe issues raised by the hon. Gentleman in his supplementary question go far wider than the main question. I take his point, but there is an inter-ministerial committee, which I head, which discusses how we can best deal with and respond to the needs of voluntary organisations. The issues raised by the hon. Gentleman will be borne in mind.