§ 2.36 p.m.
§ Lord HOLDENMy Lords, I beg to ask the question which stands in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether their attention has been drawn to the suggestion in the Press that the work of the Institute for the Scientific Treatment of Delinquency may shortly have to be discontinued through lack of funds; and whether in view of its growing importance in the cure of delinquents and the prevention of crime, His Majesty's Government would consider assisting the Institute with a grant from public funds.]
§ The LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT JOWITT)My Lords, the noble Lord no doubt refers to the recent letter in The Times appealing for voluntary support to enable the Institute for the Scientific Treatment of Delinquency to carry on their work. The Government are aware of the useful work done by the Institute in two directions; first, in the diagnosis and treatment of offenders of all ages, who are referred to the Institute by the Courts or are otherwise put in touch with it; and secondly, in arranging specialized courses of training for social workers and others. Payments from public funds are made to the Institute in respect of certain services 950 rendered at the request of Government Departments; for example, in arranging lectures for probation officers in training. I understand also that some of the Courts which make use of the services of the Institute have given donations from charitable funds which are at their disposal.
The suggestion of a subsidy from public funds for the general work of the Institute would, however, raise a number of questions requiring caref al consideration. There is the question whether State grants would result in the drying up of voluntary funds. There is also the question of what other organizations doing similar work would have an equally strong claim to assistance and, moreover, there is the question of the future position of clinics of this kind in relation to the National Health Service. While, therefore, I sympathize with the motives which have prompted the noble Lord to call attention to the matter, it is impossible for me on present information to give encouragement to the suggestion that there should be a direct grant from public funds for the general work of the Institute.