§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to give his decision on the application to set up a law centre in Wolverhampton under the urban aid scheme and which has been approved by the local authority.
§ Sir George YoungA decision on this application will be announced as soon as possible.
250W(2) if Her Majesty's Government will make it their policy to allow the House by negative resolution to disapprove grants made to independent non-Government organisations by Departments of state;
(3) if Her Majesty's Government will publish an annual register of all independent non-Government organisations which receive central Government funds, listing (a) the organisation's name and function (b) its office holders (c) the sums received and (d) the statutory authority for the grant;
(4) if she will ensure that a copy of the accounts of all independent non-Government organisations receiving public funds are placed in the Library;
(5) if she is satisfied with the co-ordination between Departments in making decisions on grants to independent non-Government organisations.
§ The Prime MinisterThe present arrangements already allow for parliamentary scrutiny of grants to such bodies and for regular review by departmental Ministers, who consult colleagues as appropriate. I see no case at present for change, but we will continue to seek improvements in efficiency and economy in this area, as in all other areas of public spending. Ministers are, in addition, always willing to look into questions about individual grants raised by hon. Members. I shall reply in more detail to the letter my hon. Friend sent me on this subject.