§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many refuges there are for battered wives and their children; in which towns and cities they are located; and what support he gives to them.
§ Mr. NewtonSupport for refuges is,a matter for local authorities. However, this Department provides grant-aid—£100,000 in the current year—to the Women's Aid Federation (England) to act as a national voluntary organisation for battered women. The other information requested is not available centrally.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many refuges for battered wives have closed in each of the last four years; and where they were located;
(2) how many battered wives and their children have been sent to hostels for the homeless, rather than special refuges, in each of the last four years.
§ Mr. NewtonThis information is not available centrally.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what criteria he grants or withholds aid for refuges for battered wives and their children.
§ Mr. NewtonThe nature and extend of support for battered women and their children is a matter for local authorities, who are best fitted to assess needs and priorities in their areas.