§ 9. Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden)What progress is being made with measures to combat domestic violence. [116793]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Paul Boateng)We are providing at least £4.5 million through the crime reduction programme for projects that aim to reduce domestic violence.
We have issued fresh guidance to agencies that have to tackle domestic violence, and we have included domestic violence in police best value performance indicators. We continue to take forward the raft of measures set out in the Home Office-women's unit publication "Living without Fear: an Integrated Approach to Tackling Violence against Women".
§ Siobhain McDonaghI thank my right hon. Friend for that answer, and I am sure that it will hearten everyone involved in trying to reduce the scourge of domestic violence. In my borough of Merton, incidents of repeat domestic violence are 10 per cent. above the London average. In the light of that, will he welcome the borough's initiative to put in a joint bid, with Sutton, Kingston and Richmond, to the crime fighting fund for money for an outreach team to deal specifically with the victims of domestic violence? Will he look kindly on that bid when he receives it?
§ Mr. BoatengI very much appreciate the initiative that I know that my hon. Friend has taken in Mitcham and Morden regarding domestic violence. I am glad that neighbouring boroughs are putting partnership arrangements in place. I feel sure that the quality of the bid that is likely to emerge from such partnership arrangements is likely to commend itself to officials. However, I cannot anticipate the outcome of the bid.