HC Deb 30 March 1983 vol 40 c202W
Sir Brandon Rhys Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet made a decision in regard to the application for grant assistance by the Westminster pastoral foundation.

Sir Anthony Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received concerning a financial grant to the Westminster pastoral foundation; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

We have received over 80 letters supporting the application by the Westminster pastoral foundation for a grant. I have decided to make a grant of £66,000 a year for each of the three years 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86 as a contribution towards the central costs of the Westminster pastoral foundation. This is in line with our policy of considering applications from national voluntary organisations for grant assistance towards their central or administrative costs, having regard to their financial circumstances and the value of the organisation's activities to our objectives for the health and personal social services. We normally leave voluntary organisations to finance direct service provision from voluntary sources, fees, or grants by health or local authorities.