§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government proposed to take to aid victims of crime other than through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe police and the social services already do a great deal to958W aid victims of crime and the courts have wide powers to order reparation by offenders for the benefit of victims. We shall continue to follow with close interest the development of local victim support schemes and the part played in these by the police and probation services.
§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the Government are prepared to contribute towards the administration costs of the victim support schemes through a responsible body like the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders;
(2) how much the Government contributes to any of the victim support schemes started by the south-west regional council of the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders;
(3) how much the Government contribute to the National Victims Association.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNo central Government financial assistance has been made available specifically for victim support schemes or related associations, and I have no present plans for providing such assistance, either directly or through an intermediary body. The schemes developed so far have been inspired by local enthusiasm and sustained by local initiative and generally enjoy the co-operation and assistance of the police and the probation service.