Scottish Pre-School Play Association

HC Deb 05 March 1996 vol 273 c159W

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure the Scottish Pre-School Play Association is grant aided to an extent no less than similar groups elsewhere in the United Kingdom. [17539]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

In providing grants to voluntary organisations under section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 we are bound to take account of the resources available for that programme and the range of demands on it. We have funded the Scottish Pre-School Play Association to the fullest extent possible within available resources. We have made available a grant of £140,000 for 1996–97. This represents an increase of over 85 per cent. in two years, making SPPA the most highly core-funded organisation of all the children's organisations which receive section 10 support.