HC Deb 29 October 1986 vol 103 cc185-6W
Ms. Harman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make a statement about the future of the under-fivess' initiative after April 1987;

(2) if he will consider joint transitional funding with the appropriate local authority for those projects started under the under-fives' initiative which have yet to receive firm commitments of funding after 31 March 1987.

Mrs. Currie

The initiative comes to an end on 31 March 1987. The voluntary agencies participating in the initiative have asked the Department to look into the feasibility of setting up a limited scheme of tapering grants after March 1987. This is being considered. The Department will be analysing the impact of the initiative and the lessons to be learnt from the exercise.

Ms. Harman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those projects started under the under-fives' initiative, stating which have received firm commitments of funding after 31 March 1987.

Mrs. Currie

At present 32 projects under the under-fives' initiative have secured funding from March 1987 onwards. I shall write to the hon. Member when the complete picture is available.