§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hotels are maintained in the United Kingdom by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board; what was the financial position of this scheme at the last convenient date compared with a year previously; and what contribution the board made to voluntary societies at those two dates.
§ Mr. DeanAlthough my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry each has a representative on the Merchant Navy Welfare Board neither Department is answerable for the board's policy or administration. However, I have obtained a copy of the board's annual report for 1972 which contains the information requested by my hon. Friend and am sending it to him.