§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions the ministerial group on women's issues has reached on the Home Office research study on domestic violence.
§ Mr. John PattenThe ministerial group discussed the study at its meeting yesterday and considered that it provides a good basis for examining and determining policy. The group has set in hand
futher work on the use of the criminal and civil law and the response to domestic violence by the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts;394Wan examination of the ways in which social services departments and health services could give more effective help to victims of domestic violence and their families;an examination of guidance and materials currently available to schools in this area and a consideration of the role of personal and social education in helping to prevent domestic violence.The results of these initiatives and others already in progress will be reported to future meetings of the group.