HC Deb 24 May 2004 vol 421 cc1431-2W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with(a) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (b) police authorities on a strategy to combat illegal access to fertilisers to prevent use by terrorists. [169328]

In addition, funding is provided to forces for a number of specific programmes such as the Crime Fighting Fund, to assist the recruitment of extra police officers, and the Rural Policing Fund, to enhance policing in areas with the most widespread populations.

Active Community Unit grant

For the past three years via our mentoring programme the Home Office has been providing financial support to mentoring organisations throughout England. Home-Start Sittingbourne and Sheppey successfully bid for three years project funding under the Active Community Unit's Mentoring Fund in 2001–02. The project helps those families experiencing difficulties and breakdown. The organisation received revenue grants of £6,219 in 2001–02, £12,715 in 2002–03 and £13,034 in 2003–04. The organisation also received a one-off capital grant of £2,682 in 2002–03 to buy equipment to support the project. Home Office funding has (finished in March 2004) now ceased.

Mr. Blunkett

Policy on protective and preventative security measures to counter the threat of terrorism is directed by a ministerial group which I chair. I would also refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs and Local Environmental Quality on 27 April 2004,Official Report, column 857W.