§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those local innovatory projects which have ventured into a new field not previously tried and which satisfy the terms of reference for which VSU funds have been made available since VSU funds were established.
§ Dr. SummerskillIt would be misleading to categorise projects on the narrow basis that they are entering new fields. Local projects funded by the VSU 903W where this was one of the primary criteria are, however, as follows:
- NACRO Hammersmith project.
- Scoutreach Nottingham project.
- Family Day Centre project.
- Onward Industries project.
- Newham Community Renewal project.
- Rathbone in Liverpool project.
- South Wales Anti-Poverty Action Committee.
- Gulbenkian Area Resource Centre.
- Community Transport.
- Handicapped Adventure Playgrounds Association.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much has been spent on disseminating information on local projects grant aided under the VSU fund which have produced lessons of national significance;
(2) what steps he has taken to disseminate information on local projects grant aided under the VSU fund which have produced lessons of national significance;
(3) how many local projects of an innovatory nature have produced lessons of national significance; and if he will list them in theOfficial Report.
§ Dr. SummerskillNone of the local projects funded by the VSU has yet been running long enough for valid conclusions to be drawn about its national significance.
§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been spent from VSU funds in grant aiding local projects in exceptional circumstances.
§ Dr. SummerskillPrior to 31st March 1976, the VSU made grants amounting to £378,759 towards what were essentially local activities. In the current financial year, the unit has so far committed £500,907 for similar purposes.