asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the Haemophilia Society's Section 64 core grant has been reduced from £100,000 to £30,000; whether the reduction took account of deprivation in the community which the society exists to help; and at what ministerial level the decision was made. [HL4657]

The Haemophilia Society has received core funding under the Section 64 general scheme of grants for a number of years. In 2006-07, its grant was £100,000. In 2006, a decision was taken, in line with the established criteria for the Section 64 scheme, to taper the Section 64 grant to £30,000 over two years. The Haemophilia Society was informed of its future funding in 2006 in order to allow it to plan for this change.

The following level of funding was agreed.

2007-08—£60,000;

2008-09—£30,000; and

2009-10—£30,000.

All decisions on Section 64 funding are taken by the Minister responsible for the relevant area of policy.