§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now give details of the response he has made to local authorities who have sought his help in connection with the provision of accommodation for battered wives.
§ Mr. FreesonThe help that I offered was particularly where local authorities sought approval to acquire property. My Department's Circular 33/76 has now added a general approval to authorities to acquire properties for use as hostels to the one which existed already in respect of acquisition to relieve homelessness. I intend to make a full statement shortly on our next steps to help local authorities to meet the needs of battered wives and their families.