§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to improve provision for battered wives by amending the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act so as to increase the provision for them.
§ Mr. StanleyWe are currently reviewing the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 and the associated code of guidance and representations received on behalf of homeless battered women will be taken into consideration.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many battered wives are helped with special accommodation under the urban aid programme; and what plans he has to increase the provision.
§ Mr. KingAbout 35 projects assisting battered wives have approval for urban programme support in the current year. About 16 other such projects have received support, mainly for capital expenditure in previous years. Further pro- 555W posals from local authorities will continue to be considered along with other priorities.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the numbers of battered wives who seek and cannot get accommodation in hostels; what steps he is taking to help; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyPreliminary findings from a survey being carried out for the Department of the Environment by the556W National Women's Aid Federation into the housing needs of battered women indicate that at September 1978 an estimated total of 9,758 women and 17,032 children were accommodated by the 150 groups or organisations running refuges in England and Wales.
Apart from the housing provision that may be made by local authorities and housing associations, the Department's urban aid programme helps some statutory authorities and voluntary groups operating refuges in major towns.