§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amount was given in the last full year by his Department to the National Marriage Guidance and Family Council for the preservation of marriage; what was the cost to the State for legal aid in divorce cases in the same year; and if he will increase the amount spent on marriage preservation in the future.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe Home Office grant to the National Marriage Guidance Council was £70,000 in 1970–71. The grant for 1971–72 will be the same. The practice has been to fix these grants in advance for a three-year period and the amount of the subsequent grant is at present under review. The estimated cost of legal aid in divorce proceedings in 1970–71 was £4,993,000, of which £3,937,000 represented litigation costs.