§ Wing-Commander Jamesasked the Home Secretary what is now the total sum granted to date to the voluntary organisations who have been befriending refugees from Nazi oppression; what sums have been paid out to what organisations; what is the current rate of grants; and when, in view of the absorption into industry and into other spheres of profitable occupation of large numbers of refugees, it is the intention of the Government to review the position?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe total sum paid to these organisations from January 1940, up to 31st October, 1941, is £857,526. Of this total £653,178 represents payments908W to the Central Council for Jewish Refugees, £102,485 to the Christian Council for Refugees, and £18,192 to the Scottish National Council for Refugees. The balance represents payments to about 120 separate organisations, the maximum amount being about £7,500, and the remainder, with 14 exceptions, being less than £1,000. The current rates of grant are, in the case of administration, 75 per cent., and in the case of maintenance, either 100 per cent. of the actual expenditure in accordance with assessments made by the Assistance Board or in special cases, where the organisation desires to supplement the rates which rank for grant, 50 per cent. of certain standard rates. As regards the last part of the Question, I am glad to say that, as a result of the causes mentioned by my hon. Friend, the number of persons requiring assistance is steadily decreasing and the whole position is under continuous review by the Home Office both in connection with the preparation of the estimates for each year and otherwise.