§ Mrs. Fyfeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether women leaving Women's Aid refuges on being rehoused will he entitled to community care grants, under regulations for the social fund;
(2) whether the circumstances of domestic violence will be included in the guidelines for community care grants under the regulations for the social fund;
(3) whether women who have suffered domestic violence will qualify as high priority applicants for community care grants; and whether they will be entitled to the maximum sums available under those grants, under the regulations for the social fund;
(4) what amount of community care grant will be payable under the regulations for the social fund to women victims of domestic violence on leaving Women's Aid refuges to move to independent housing; and whether this will be stated in the guidance for social fund officers;
(5) whether women victims of domestic violence who flee to Women's Aid refuges will be entitled to a community care grant to replace clothing destroyed during the marital or cohabitation breakdown under the regulations for the social fund.
§ Mr. ScottCommunity care grants from the social fund will not be subject to regulations but will be awarded at the discretion of the social fund officer, in accordance with the law and Secretary of State's directions and taking account of the Secretary of State's guidance. Guidance about awards in cases of domestic violence is included in part 6 of the social fund manual, a pre-publication copy of which is in the Library.