asked the Minister of Health in view of the fact that there is a need to extend the work of the Family Planning. Association, if he will seek power to make a grant either direct to the Association, or to the local authorities in order that they can help the branches in their areas.

asked the Minister of Health what financial aid is given by his Department to the Family Planning Association.

The Association does not receive a direct grant, but branches of the Association receive a great deal of help from local authorities and from hospitals.

Is my hon. Friend aware that that is a very disappointing reply? Is he further aware that the work of the Family Planning Association is increasing, and, in view of the advice which is also needed to be given to young people because of the increasing rate of illegitimacy, money should be given to this Association other than by means of the rates in order that it may continue and increase its very valuable work?

Of course, I agree that the Family Planning Association and its local branches perform a most valuable service. County councils and county borough councils are able under their existing powers to help the local branches in providing advice and treatment on medical grounds to expectant and nursing mothers and in making grants. Similarly hospitals can and do make payments and provide premises.

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that his Ministry ought to take a rather more positive attitude to this problem? Will he not accept that the inability of a large number of people to plan their families is the direct result of being unable to provide for them financially and in terms of housing? Would the hon. Gentleman not agree that this is a pressing social problem and that the Government ought to adopt a positive attitude to it?

So far as the Government are concerned, family planning advice and treatment under the National Health Service is limited to women in whose case it is medically advisable to avoid pregnancy. We recognise the valuable work, particularly the guidance work, of the Family Planning Association, but I suggest that we must have some regard for public opinion which is by no means unanimously in favour of this work.

Whilst it is true that the Government give some rather minimal assistance to the Family Planning Association in a rather hole-and-corner way, has not the time come when the help given should be a little more overt, in view of the recognised social value of the work that this organisation does and which the hon. Gentleman has acknowledged? Will not he help the Family Planning Association to establish itself on a sounder footing, which is what it is trying to do?

We do give overt assistance. The necessity to have regard to public opinion is recognised by the Association itself. It has not asked for Exchequer assistance. I understand from the Report of the Special Committee of the F.P.A., published last autumn, that it is considered feasible to finance the proposed reorganisation of the Association and its local branches by increasing revenue from local sources and, if necessary, by increasing the present fees. I repeat that we do give assistance.

Does my hon. Friend recognise that there is also the other side to family planning? Does he appreciate that there are people who are infertile and who need help which is not given, so fat as I understand, through the National Health Service or the hospital service on the same scale?

I agree with my hon. Friend. I made it plain that in regard to marriage guidance, we consider the work of the Family Planning Association to be most valuable.