§ Lord Alderdiceasked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) what financial support is provided directly from public funds for St. Dunstan's, the charity that cares for ex-services personnel blinded in the service of their country; and (b) following the rejection of an application for National Lottery funding, whether they have any proposals to provide financial support in the future. [HL1414]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)In keeping with the long-standing practice that central government does not provide funding in support of charities' core activities, St. Dunstan's does not receive any direct financial support from public funds and is responsible for raising its own funding. Nevertheless, in common with all other independent charitable organisations, St. Dunstan's continues to benefit from various tax reliefs. Rejection of an application for National Lottery funding does not imply that a cause is unworthy. St. Dunstan's remains eligible, therefore, to make further applications to the National Lottery Charities Board.