HL Deb 18 May 1999 vol 601 cc24-5WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Ministerial Committee on Domestic Violence has been reconstituted since the election; if so, who are its members; and, if not, on what means they are relying for interdepartmental co-ordination of policy on domestic violence. [HL2325]

The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)

The Ministerial Committee on Domestic Violence has not been reconstituted since the election. The Cabinet Committee on Home and Social Affairs and its sub-committees, including the Sub-Committee on Women's Issues, are responsible for the co-ordination of policy on all aspects of home and social affairs. Lead responsibility for the issue of domestic violence lies with the Home Office, and my honourable friend the Minister of State, Home Office liaises as appropriate with colleagues across government. As Minister for Women I am responsible for the Women's Unit, which works closely with other government departments across all government policy areas, including violence. The Women's Unit and the Home Office will be publishing jointly a document on all forms of violence against women this summer.