§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has anything to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Westminster, North on 18 May, Official Report, column 289.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt is important that, following abolition of the GLC and the MCCs, worthwhile voluntary endeavour in these areas—for example in relation to housing and the needs of ethnic minorities and of the disabled—should continue to be supported. In general it will be for the boroughs and districts to consider the needs of the voluntary bodies in their areas. However, in order to ensure that bodies serving the interests of a wider area can continue to look for funding on a wider basis, it is our intention to include in the legislation to be introduced in the 1984–85 session a scheme for the collective funding of voluntary bodies by all the London boroughs or all the metropolitan districts in each county. The scheme will enable individual authorities to put forward for agreement 19W proposals for funding particular bodies. If a majority of the authorities in the area agree, the cost of the funding will be shared by all the authorities.