HC Deb 19 June 1984 vol 62 c148W
Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of funding made available during 1983–84 by the Manpower Services Commission, the urban aid unit, the Carnegie UK trusts and the unemployed voluntary action fund to projects which, in whole or in part, were offering an advice service direct to the general public in Scotland.

Mr. Allan Stewart

Detailed information on individual schemes funded by the Manpower Services Commission is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, in 1983–84, under the community programme and voluntary projects programme the MSC approved 43 schemes in Scotland in which advisory services to groups with special needs formed the primary activity of the scheme. The total approved MSC contribution to these schemes was approximately £996,000.

Many of the community-based projects assisted under the urban programme, which aim to provide a range of services include some provision for information on counselling. In 1983–84 expenditure of £157,147 capital and £1,054,156 current was approved specifically for projects which will provide either information or advice or both.

The unemployed voluntary action fund, which is administered by the Carnegie UK trust on behalf of the Secretary of State for Scotland, approved grants for £130,811 in 1983–84 for 12 projects all of which included some elements of an advisory service.