§ Mr. Montgomeryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT any grants paid by her Department to organisations concerned with providing opportunities for young people to take part in community service programmes; and if she will make a statement about the work of such organisations;
(2) what action is being taken through the Youth Service to provide more opportunities for young people to take part in community service programmes.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasIn response to the demand from young people there has been a substantial and continuing expansion of facilities for voluntary community 129W service. A Government survey published in 1972 reported that one third of 14–16 year olds had at some time been involved in voluntary service.
Many of the youth organisations to which my department makes grants are concerned with such activities. Grants in 1972–73 to bodies involved mainly in community service were:
£ Community Service Volunteers 15,160 Task Force 3,480 International Voluntary Service 7,540 Young Volunteer Force Foundation (half year) 50,000* *Responsibility transferred at the half-year to the Home Office. I am happy to pay tribute to the excellent work of youth organisations in this field. The Government's interest in voluntary social service generally is co-ordinated by my noble Friend the Minister of State, Home Office.