The Marquess of AilsaMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether and when they propose to make offers of grants under the Education (Scotland) Acts to voluntary youth organisations in Scotland.
§ Lord LyellMy Lords, letters containing offers of recurrent grant were issued on 4th June.
The Marquess of AilsaMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that very welcome reply, may I ask whether Her Majesty's Government are aware that the voluntary youth organisations in Scotland were urged to put in, and did, their bids to the Minister for these grants at a very early date especially to avoid such a delay and that this delay has caused hardship and made future planning exceedingly difficult indeed?
§ Lord LyellMy Lords, the Government sympathise with and appreciate the concern that has been expressed at the uncertainty which has been caused by the delay to which my noble friend referred. I would stress, however, that the department has treated very sympathetically any cases of hardship caused by the delay.