§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will create a specific section dealing with the problem of child abuse.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThere is a policy section specifically concerned with the problem of child abuse within the Department of Health. The section draws on professional advice from within and outside the Department, and, through the interdepartmental group on child abuse, works with other Government Departments to provide a co-ordinated approach to child protection.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will initiate a research project to discover how many clinics there are currently which have been set up to help child abusers overcome their problem.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Department is aware of a number of clinics and other facilities and projects working with child abusers in a variety of settings. A definitive count of such clinics is not available, since some offer a specialist service while others help child abusers as part of a wider programme.