HC Deb 14 January 1993 vol 216 c1051
10. Mr. Alan Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to increase public participation in voluntary groups and charities.

Mr. Jack

The Home Office promotes voluntary activity by supporting bodies whose role is to encourage and extend the work of the voluntary sector to promote volunteering and to provide information, advice and support for other voluntary organisations.

Mr. Howarth

Does my hon. Friend agree that a great many people want to make a contribution to society through voluntary work? Has he any thoughts about the way in which the Government could play a part in establishing networks, neighbourhood by neighbourhood —probably on a fairly informal basis—to help people to find the most worthwhile and practical ways in which to make their personal contributions?

Mr. Jack

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his continuing interest in, and dedication to, the voluntary sector. He asked about local networks and volunteering; we are working with BBC Radio on a £250,000 programme to encourage more individuals to volunteer. We have given a pledge to develop the volunteer centres database more widely, to ensure that people can volunteer and can obtain the necessary information about volunteering. I assure my hon. Friend that that pledge will be high on my list of priorities.

Miss Lestor

While I support what the Minister and his hon. Friend said about involving more people in voluntary work, bearing in mind the disclosure today that a voluntary organisation registered as a charity was employing people who had been accused of offences against children, does not the Minister think that if he is to encourage this he should also vet people before they are allowed to take children away at weekends?

Mr. Jack

I have taken careful note of what the hon. Member says; her experience is considerable. She will know that the Charities Act 1992 does a great deal to strengthen the voluntary sector and the operation of charities and may make its own contribution to the point that she has raised. I will look into the specific case that she mentioned.