asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make it his policy to consult the charity Childline to assess the extent to which the demand for help for children who have been sexually abused exceeds the supply in terms of both of the amount and the nature of the help;(2) what financial support has so far been given to the charity Childline by his Department; and what assurances of support he has given for the future.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 30 October 1986 that ?50,000 was being made available to help launch Childline; no undertakings have been given for the future, since no further grant application has been received. An official of the Department is an observer on the council set up by Childline to advise the project and a close link is maintained with the organisation.