§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children's refuges there are; where they are located; and how much his Department contributes to funding their operation. [4089]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 17 July 2001]I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.
There is one children's refuge, which is located in London. Funding for the refuge is provided by the Department of Health and by the Greater London Association of Directors of Social Services (GLADSS). For the financial years 2001–02 and 2002–03, each member of GLADSS has contributed 0.9 per cent. of their Quality Protects grant towards the refuge's costs. The Department acts as a conduit for this funding as well as making its own financial contribution. The approximate funding required for the coming financial year (2002–03) will be in the region of £390,000.
808W