HC Deb 26 March 1986 vol 94 cc469-70W
Mr. Forth

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the increase in the work load of the National Marriage Guidance Council since 1980 and the increase in grant to the council since 1980; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

The Home Office grant to the National Marriage Guidance Council is given to support the council in its work of selecting and training lay counsellors. Between 1980–81 and 1984–85 (the latest year for which information is available), the numbers of counsellors selected and trained increased by 57 per cent. and 55 per cent. respectively, and the number of training courses provided by 38 per cent. In the same period the Home Office grant increased by 49 per cent. My right hon. Friend is considering the longer-term level of the Home Office grants to marriage guidance bodies, including that to the council.