HC Deb 22 February 1972 vol 831 c250W
50. Mr. Luce

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to encourage, and to co-ordinate, social research carried out by voluntary bodies.

Sir K. Joseph

Voluntary bodies pursue their independent interests as regards social research. My Department receives information about such research and is increasingly involved in encouraging projects that voluntary bodies themselves wish to carry out. My Department will spend £120,000 in support of such research in 1971–72. It would not be practical, nor I think acceptable, for my Department to intervene as a co-ordinator in fields of work which may go far beyond its remit.