§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what amount was given by his Department to the National Marriage and Family Guidance Council for the preservation of marriage; what was the cost to the State for legal aid in divorce cases in the most recent year; and if he will seek to increase the amount spent on marriage preservation in the future;
(2) if he will give the total grant payable each year since 1965 to the National Marriage and Family Guidance Council; and what further provision he is making to meet the demands likely to be made on the Council following the coming into operation of the Divorce Reform Act in January, 1971.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe annual amount of Home Office grant to the National Marriage Guidance Council since 1965 has been as follows: 1965–66, £30,000; 1966–67, £42,000; 1967–68, £42,000; 1968–69, £42,000; 1969–70, £70,000.
225WThese grants are fixed in advance for a three-year period after taking account of the Council's likely circumstances. Further annual grants of £70,000 will be payable in 1970–71 and 1971–72. It is not yet possible to say what the grant will be for subsequent years.
The cost of legal aid in divorce proceedings was £3,326,531 in 1969–70.