§ Mr. Peter AtkinsonTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about ministerial responsibility for volunteering, the voluntary sector and charity matters. [24475]
§ The Prime MinisterIn consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage, I have decided that ministerial responsibility for
Government co-ordination of policy on the voluntary sector including volunteering,charity matters, including sponsorship of the charity commission grants to voluntary sector infra-structure bodies,sponsorship of the National Lottery Charities Board, the Community Development Foundation and the Volunteering Partnership,should be transferred as soon as the necessary financial and other arrangements can be made from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage. I have concluded that these matters will fit more appropriately within the framework of the responsibilities of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage, who already has responsibility for other lottery distributors.