§ Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to the answer of 22 December 1983, Official Report, c. 388, if he will provide details of each programme under which assistance is given to involve recently retired men and women in voluntary activity.
§ Mr. NewtonRecently retired men and women contribute greatly to the work of voluntary organisations, but it is not possible to isolate their role and contribution from those of others alongside whom they work. I published information about the grants we are making to support voluntary organisations in my reply to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doone Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 14 December 1983—[Vol. 50, c.509–16.]
I am writing to my hon. Friend with details of the opportunities for volunteering scheme and the MSC's voluntary projects programme, both of which are destined to enable unemployed people (including the prematurely retired) to participate in voluntary acitvity.