§ Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial resources he has made available in the present financial year to (a) Orkney health board and (b) Shetland health board to enable them to give financial assistance to voluntary organisations under section 16B of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, as amended; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythMy right hon. and learned Friend, in terms of the National Health Service (Functions 153W of Health Boards) (Scotland) Order 1983, delegated to health boards the power under section 16B of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 to give financial assistance to voluntary organisations in respect of their local activities. Health boards may, from within their general revenue allocations, make grants of up to £5,000 to voluntary organisations for such local activities within the boards' areas which are complementary to the health services required by statute. It is for the boards concerned to decide what organisations they wish to assist.