Victim Support Week (Hansard, 2 March 1998)

§ 1. Mr. Miller
What contribution his Department has made to Victim Support week. [30337]

§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Alun Michael)
The main event of last week was the launch of the new national telephone helpline called Victim Supportline. It was made possible by the Government's decision to increase Victim Support's annual grant by £1 million a year. Extra money has also gone towards improving front-line services for victims and witnesses. Those were also promoted during Victim Support week.

§ Mr. Miller
I am sure that the House will congratulate those involved in Victim Support on their tremendous work. Will my hon. Friend take into account the views of victims and ensure that they are fully informed during the progress of cases? Will he also look at the needs of the families of victims of road deaths and examine what is happening in other countries, especially Switzerland, in relation to such families' needs?

§ Mr. Michael
I support my hon. Friend's comments about the volunteers who do such excellent work. We certainly want the system to keep people much better informed about the progress of cases that involve them and we want to keep victims better informed. My hon. Friend gave a specific example and I should be interested to look at the case that he cites. Perhaps he could supply me with information. With colleagues at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, we want to do all that we can to recognise the damage to the families of victims of road incidents.

§ Sir Sydney Chapman
In commending the work of the Victim Support scheme and paying tribute to those who operate my local scheme in Barnet, may I ask the Minister whether he agrees that the best commitment that the Government could show to this worthwhile charity would be to continue to increase its funding, which I think has gone up from a derisory £5,000 in 1979 to £11.5 million last year?

§ Mr. Michael
I am glad to have the hon. Gentleman's endorsement for the action of my right hon. Friends the Chancellor and the Prime Minister in increasing Victim Support's grant during the current financial year.