§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the terms of reference of the Family Trust; what information he has about the proportion of its annual expenditure accounted for by his Department's grant under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968; what assessment he has made of its activities during 1986 for the purposes of evaluating the cost-effectiveness of his Department's grant; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to Family Forum.
Family Forum aims to:
increase the understanding of families and family structure, their development and needs, by drawing together the experience and expertise of national member organisations and other in conferences, consultations and working groups;achieve the same across the country, through individuals, representatives of local branches of national members and other contacts by identifying and discussing family issues which affect them locally; through the work of its committees, working groups and national and local meetings, publish findings and make recommendations to policy makers on matters relating to family life and welfare;thereby contributing to an increase in the knowledge, wellbeing, confidence, competence and independence of families.In 1985–86, the latest year for which audited accounts are available, the grant of £34,500 paid to Family Forum under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 amounted to some two thirds of its expenditure.
Officials have kept in touch with the activities of Family Forum and we are currently considering an application for a further three year grant, to run from 1 April 1987.