§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many voluntary organisations, funded by his Department, have not yet been informed of the level of their grant allocation for the financial year 1986–87; why this delay in notification has occurred; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Whitney[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1986. c. 68–9]: Hundreds of applications by and grants to voluntary organisations are dealt with each year by the Department. Applications are received and decisions are given throughout the year for a wide variety of purposes. At any time, therefore, some applications will be in the course of being processed, and the position changes continually.