HL Deb 03 June 1997 vol 580 cc26-7WA
Lord Monkswell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What support they will be giving to Volunteers Week.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

Volunteers Week, which my honourable friend the Minister of State was pleased to help launch this morning and which will run until 7 June, is a great opportunity to celebrate the enormous commitment made by volunteers to the life of our communities, and to encourage the involvement of others. The National Centre for Volunteering co-ordinates this annual event and receives financial support from the Home Office to do so.

My honourable friend, the Minister of State is delighted to be able to participate in the week by taking up the challenge issued by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) to honourable Members and noble Lords to give up an hour of their time to volunteer on a WRVS project. I hope that all noble Lords will join my honourable friend in participating in Volunteers Week to acknowledge the achievements of volunteers, who give freely of their time and talents throughout the year and whose involvement makes such a difference to so many people.