§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is provided by his Department to Childline; what training he requires its counsellors to have; and to what extent its action and inquiries are co-ordinated by his Department.
§ Mr. Mellor[holding answer 9 June 1989]: We made a grant of £50,000 towards the launching of Childline in October 1986 and £100,000 for the financial year 1988–89, and we are considering a further application for grant aid. Childline has developed its own training programme, which all its counsellors are required to successfully complete. The Department maintains a close link with Childline and is represented on its council.