§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has plans to co-ordinate victim support groups in other EC states for United Kingdom citizens; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenI have been asked to reply.
The United Kingdom participated in work which led to the adoption in 1987 by the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers of a recommendation on assistance to victims and the prevention of victimisation. This recommendation urged the Governments of all member states (including European Community and other member states) to take a range of steps to support victims in their own countries.
So far as co-ordination is concerned, we have encouraged and assisted Victim Support—an independent national body which receives a grant from the Home Office—in its contacts with victim support groups elsewhere in Europe.