Written question asked by John Leech (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 29 June 2007. It was answered by Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) on Monday, 16 July 2007 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) whether her Department has had discussions with the Community Development Foundation on the appropriateness of religious groups receiving grants from the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund where allegations of cultish behaviour have been made against them;

Answer: The Department has received correspondence from a member of the public regarding the alleged cultish behaviour of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, New Kadarnpa Tradition and Soka Gakkai International. No other representation has been received by the Department. Communities and Local Government has commissioned the Community Development Foundation to administer the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund. Officials made the Community Development Foundation aware of the existence of the allegations. The Department considered whether these allegations had any relevance when set against the Fund's stringent criteria and guidelines. The decision was made that the criteria was satisfied and the award of funding was made.

Secondary information