§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards victim support schemes in east Newcastle.
§ Mr John Patten[holding answer 5 April 1990]: The Home Office pays grant in aid (£3.7 million in 1989–90 and £4.5 million subject to parliamentary approval this year) to Victim Support headquarters for the benefit of local victim support schemes. The grant is administered by the funding panel of Victim Support in accordance with agreed criteria which provide for payment of salaries or running costs. I understand that salaries grant is paid for two posts in the east Newcastle scheme. Responsibility for the funding of one of these posts was taken over from the local authority from 1 April 1989.