§ LORD WINDLESHAMasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements they are making to ensure that all Departments of Government are aware of and responsive to the needs of voluntary organisations.
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHThere are long-standing and valuable links between Government Departments and the voluntary organisations working in their fields of responsibility. We hope to ensure that these links are in future extended and developed. From its new base in the Home Office, the Voluntary Services Unit will maintain close contact with other departments, both on problems which embrace a number of departmental responsibilities and on any matters of general interest to voluntary organisations.
§ LORD WINDLESHAMasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure that the active and independent role of the Voluntary Services Unit, formed within the Civil Service Department by the last Administration, is not in any way diminished in any reallocation of ministerial responsibility.
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHMy right honourable friend the Home Secretary does not intend that there should be any change in the role of the Voluntary Services Unit.
§ LORD WINDLESHAMasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which Minister is to be responsible for co-ordinating the Government's interests in voluntary social service and how he intends to interpret his role.
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHThe Prime Minister has asked my right honourable friend the Home Secretary to assume this responsibility. Within the Home Office, I shall also take an active interest in this work. Our aim will be to assist voluntary organisations in their dealings with central Government and to support and encourage voluntary effort generally.
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§ LORD WINDLESHAMasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will give an assurance that financial assistance will continue to be available to voluntary organisations from central Government funds at not less than the total annual amount indicated in the reply given by the then Lord Privy Seal to a Written Question by the Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge on December 19, 1973 [OFFICIAL REPORT, House of Lords, cols. 453–454].
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHThe amount for 1974–75 has already been provided in estimates. I am not yet able to say what will be the precise allocation of funds in future years.