HC Deb 22 January 1986 vol 90 cc297-8
9. Mr. Allan Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received since his appointment as Secretary of State about funding of those voluntary and charitable organisations which are presently supported by the metropolitan councils.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Sir George Young)

At least 23.

Mr. Roberts

Is the Minister aware that the chaos which the Opposition predicted would follow the abolition proposals for the metropolitan counties is now beginning to develop, especially in the voluntary sector? Why have the Government changed their policy? Why are they now refusing to allow transitional grants to be given to voluntary organisations which operate wholly or for the most part in one district area? Lots of voluntary organisations are not being funded, they cannot get funds from district councils, and their future is threatened.

Sir George Young

; There has been no change of policy. We have always made it clear that transitional grant was aimed at local schemes funded by the metropolitan counties, and not countywide schemes. Under section 48 we have given local authorities powers to set up countywide schemes, and it is for them to decide whether such schemes are needed.

Mr. Favell

Does my hon. Friend agree that far too many voluntary bodies funded by the metropolitan counties depended not on voluntary giving but on money from rates and taxes? Will he encourage local authorities and the Government, if it is within his right so to do, to look carefully at bodies that receive money from ratepayers and taxpayers to see how many people doing voluntary work are paid for it?

Sir George Young

Many of my right hon. and hon. Friends will agree with what my hon. Friend says. We have made it clear that transitional grant will not be available for certain voluntary organisations currently funded by the metropolitan counties. If local councils wish to go ahead and fund with ratepayers' money, they must be held accountable for that at the next election.

Mr. John Fraser

Is the Minister aware that many local, voluntary and charitable groups face sudden and tragic extinction as a result of the abolition of the metropolitan counties and the GLC? In the GLC area only a quarter of the money that was available from the GLC is now available by way of transitional grant. The problem is illustrated by that mecca of municipal meanness, Wandsworth, which even if it wanted to help all the voluntary and charitable groups in its area, now finds itself overspent under section 137. Will the Minister take the opportunity presented by the Local Government Bill to amend the law to do some justice to voluntary and charitable organisations?

Sir George Young

In an earlier exchange my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, Countryside and Local Government dealt with the issue in section 137. We are discussing it with the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and it is under review. It is not the case that transitional grant was ever meant to cover the totality of GLC giving. It is extra governmental assistance on top of the resources of London, which are still available after abolition. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will share my pleasure at the fact that there is now progress towards a collective scheme in London that will involve a substantial sum of money.