asked the Secretary of State for the Home Departent what payments have been made by the Equal Opportunities Commission to outside bodies from its current budget; and what is the total sum available for such payments.

The Equal Opportunities Commission has powers under Section 54 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to assist other bodies to undertake research and educational activities. I am informed that during the financial year 1976–77 the Commission has made the following grants to other bodies:

	£
National Council for Civil Liberties	5,000
Spare Rib	3,772
Virago Press	3,250
Fawcett Society	3,000
Brent Community Law Centre	1,000
Rights of Women	3,000
Women's Research and Resources	3,000

The total provision for expenditure under Section 54 is £40,000; this covers research and educational activities undertaken by the Commission itself and those undertaken by the bodies listed above.