§ Mr. Austinasked the Minister of Education whether she will make a statement on the present position in regard to youth welfare as it affects her Ministry.
§ Miss WilkinsonThe. Ministry focuses and guides the work of the local education authorities and voluntary organisations engaged in the youth service. The local education authorities, operating through their local youth committees, administer the service locally and it is their duty under the Education Act to provide or assist the provision of the necessary facilities.
741WThe money for the service is found partly from voluntary sources; partly by the local education authorities, who get grant from the Ministry on their expenditure; and partly by direct grant from the Ministry. As the local education authorities take over their responsibility for helping to maintain local youth groups, there will be fewer direct grants for this purpose from the Ministry, whose aid will then flow increasingly through the local education authorities by way of grant on their growing expenditure. The hon. Member will find fuller information on this point in Circular 51, a copy of which T am sending him.
The Ministry will continue for the time being to help local youth groups to meet capital expenditure on such things as premises and equipment. Grants in aid of the headquarters expenditure of the national voluntary organisations will also be continued. The Ministry gives direct assistance towards the training of youth leaders: and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Circular 53, which sets out the scope of this assistance, and also of Circular 1598 to which Circular 53 refers.
§ Mr. Molsonasked the Minister of Education what is the purpose of withdrawing Government grants to boys' and girls' clubs.
§ Miss WilkinsonGovernment grants to boys' and girls' clubs have not been withdrawn. It is, however, my intention gradually to reduce in number and ultimately to discontinue the direct grants made by the Ministry towards meeting expenditure on the maintenance of these clubs. From now onwards local education authorities will be expected to take over the responsibility for giving such aid towards maintenance as may be necessary to enable local voluntary youth organisations to function effectively. This expenditure will, of course, rank for grant. I shall still be prepared to give direct grant to clubs in respect of items of capital expenditure. This matter was dealt with in paragraph 7 of Circular 51, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.