§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy with regard to the provision of refuges for battered women; whether one refuge place per family per 10,000 population is the criterion he uses in providing funds to local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. StanleyIt is for individual local authorities to make their own assessment of housing needs in their areas and take decisions on how to use the resources available to them through the housing investment programme. This includes decisions as to what provision is necessary for refuges for battered women.
In addition to what local authorities themselves provide, funds from the Department's urban aid programme provide assistance to some voluntary groups operating refuges in major towns. No rigid place per population criterion is applied.