asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why, out of a total income in 1963 of £69,285, £59,576 was spent by the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme on office and administrative expenses.

I think some misunderstanding may have been caused by the phrase "administrative expenses".

About one half of the expenditure is attributable to office costs. But the other half—described as administration expenses in the accounts—represents the cost of services to authorities and organisations. These include training courses for leaders and adult helpers, displays and exhibitions to promote the interest of young people, practical testing of conditions of safety on expeditions and the maintenance of standards.

How did this misunderstanding come about?

The hon. Member should perhaps address that question to the Award office, for which of course my right hon. Friend has no direct responsibility, but I am grateful to him for putting this Question down and giving me the opportunity to refute the suggestion that there is an unwarrantably high proportion of the Award Scheme expenses going in office expenses.

Is the Minister saying that he takes no responsibility——

Nevertheless, for the record, would not my hon. Friend agree that this scheme is very much welcomed by all throughout the country and that it is doing a wonderful job?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. The Department makes a grant of £10,000 to the Award Scheme and I agree entirely as to its worth. The scheme is, of course, concerned principally with administering awards and therefore a high proportion of the expenditure may in a sense be termed administrative.