§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the level and nature of support that is available from his Department for Crossroads schemes; and what is his policy towards voluntary efforts in this field.
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§ Mr. Michael ForsythFunding of local Crossroads schemes by my Department is limited to two projects forming part of a wider programme embodying different examples of community care. A total of £38,630 is being paid in grant to these schemes in the present financial year, the last of the three years for which grant has been provided. An additional £21,425 is being paid this year to Crossroads (Scotland), which provides direction and support for local Crossroads projects.
We warmly endorse the objectives underlying Crossroads schemes and the contribution they make to the provision of care in the community. Such schemes do not however fall within the established priorities for the main programme of centrally funded grants in the social work field. Some 40 Crossroads schemes are currently receiving support either from the Manpower Services Commission, from local authorities or from health boards under support finance arrangements.