§ Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is yet in a position to state who will administer the £3 million fund which he announced on 29th November 1972.
§ Sir K. JosephI am glad to say that at my request the Joseph Rowntree Memorial Trust has agreed to administer this Fund. My colleagues and I are very242W grateful to it for assuming this responsibility, and my Department will of course render it all possible help.
The purpose of the Fund is to help the parents of very severely congenitally handicapped children by complementing the services already being provided by statutory and voluntary bodies. The Trust is now taking steps to make the necessary administrative arrangements with a view to beginning operations not later than 1st April next. No applications should therefore be made to it until a further announcement is made of its readiness to receive them.