§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Social Services if she has any plans to sponsor State-organised refuges for battered wives; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherAs I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Redbridge, Ilford. North (Mrs. Miller) on 17th December 1975—[Vol. 902, c.670–71]—my colleagues and I are consulting with local authorities about the recommendation of the Select Committee on Violence in Marriage in regard to refuges for battered wives. In its report the Select Committee set out the various ways in which central and local Government are able to assist these refuges, but emphasised that as much as possible should be left to the local organisers.