§ Mr. Concannonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the involvement of Her Majesty's Government in preparation for a second European Economic Community anti-poverty programme; whether any funding from this programme will be available to the voluntary sector; and how he proposes to make information about the programme available to groups.
. BoysonI refer the hon. Member my reply to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 25 January at column601. Since that date Her Majesty's Government are continuing to participate along with representatives from other United Kingdom organisations in seminars sponsored by the European Commission on themes which are likely to feature in the Commission's proposals to the Council of Ministers for a second programme to combat poverty. Decisions on UK participation in such a programme and on the availability of funding from it for the voluntary sector will be taken when the Council of Ministers considers the Committee's proposals. Meanwhile relevant groups are helping with the further definition of subjects within the themes for the programme which might be suitable for action research in the United Kingdom.