§ Mr. SternTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any policy to encourage the availability of free advice on debt.
§ Mr. MaudeA great deal of advice and help on debt problems is already provided free of charge by citizens advice bureaux. I have encouraged the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which is funded by central Government, to seek additional funding for this specialised service from the finance industry. Two money advice support projects, one in the south-east and one in the north-west of England, are already under way as a result of private sector funding and I understand that agreement has been reached on a third major scheme which will be announced soon.