With reference to the letter by Kenneth Wain (The Sunday Times, February 7), both the Finance Ministry and the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund committee wish to clarify that they have no issue with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations as to which organisations should benefit from the Good Causes Fund.

While the Voluntary Organisations Act is a special law regulating voluntary organisations, the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund committee is founded on another special law, namely the Lotteries and Other Games Act, which regulates the funding on the basis of a 'good cause'.

By way of policy, the committee has given priority to funding organisations registered as voluntary organisations; however, it will not ignore its commitment in terms of the law to grant assistance and help projects that are of a good cause, including organisations that are directly or indirectly related to the Church. In doing so, and contrary to what is being alleged, the committee is not encouraging organisations to breach the law or jeopardising the commissioner's ability to perform his duties.

The committee feels aggrieved that in his letter, the commissioner casts doubt on the way funding and assistance has been granted, although he knows only too well that the financial reports of the committee are tabled yearly by the Finance Minister in the House of Representatives and are subject to scrutiny.

The ministry has made it clear that it will not get involved with the commissioner as to which organisations ought or ought not to benefit in terms of the Voluntary Organisations Act.

The minister, however, has sought to ensure, through the setting up of the committee, that funding and assistance are granted in an accountable and equitable manner.