§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of local authorities in relation to victim support initiatives. [18258]
§ Mr. MacleanI am not aware that local authorities have any formal responsibilities in relation to victim support initiatives. However, I understand that many local authorities do provide financial support to their local victim support schemes, and that the total amount of such support provided in 1995–96 was in the order of £1.4 million.
§ Mr. CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was his Department's financial contribution to the National Association of Victim Support Schemes in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [18259]
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§ Mr. MacleanThe information requested is as follows:
Financial year Home Office grant (£ million) 1992–93 7.260 1993–94 8.375 1994–95 10.016 1995–96 10.817 1996–97 11.682 This generous funding has enabled Victim Support to achieve nationwide coverage with its 365 local schemes and branches and to establish a witness support service at all 77 Crown court centres. The Home Office grant meets the salary and related costs of over 600, full-time equivalent staff, who deploy over 12,000 volunteers to offer practical help and emotional support to well over 1 million victims of crime a year.