§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many applications for grant aid from St. Dunstan's have been received for the financial years 1998–99, 1999–2000, and 2000–01; how many have been granted; for what purposes and at what value; and if he will make a statement; [131072]
(2) for what reasons an application by St. Dunstan's for section 64 grant aid towards the replacement of the swimming pool was refused. [131703]
§ Mr. HuttonNo applications were received from St. Dunstan's for section 64 funding in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 rounds, although there were applications from the Diana Gubbay Trust for the Blind, which is administered by St. Dunstan's. Under the 2000–01 round, St. Dunstan's submitted an application for a section 64 grant of £500,000 towards the repair of the roof covering of their swimming pool.
Under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 the Department has power to fund voluntary organisations in England whose activities support the Department's policy objectives relating to health and social services. As applications for grant aid exceeded funds available for 2000–01, each application was considered on its merits, and grants awarded when they were judged most likely to further the Department's policy objectives. St. Dunstan's application was one of a large number of unsuccessful applications.