§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what additional assistance is being given by her 140W Department to voluntary youth organisations in view of the recent steep rise in costs;
(2) what policy changes she proposes in capital grants to voluntary organisations' building schemes and in grants to the headquarters of national voluntary youth organisations.
§ Mrs. ThatcherI informed the House on 4th August of the new arrangements for capital grants to voluntary youth organisations. A circular giving details of them will issue shortly. Grants still being made under the former arrangements are adjusted as necessary to take account of increases in costs.
It has been agreed with the Standing Conference of National Voluntary Youth Organisations that there should be an independent review of headquarters grants which the Department will finance. It has also been agreed that pending the completion of this review these basic grants should remain static but that organisations should have the opportunity to apply for an increase where there is real need.—[Vol. 822, c. 343]