§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the number of refuges for battered women; and how many places they provide in each local authority in England and Wales.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThis information is not held centrally. Data held by the National Voluntary Organisation Women's Aid Federation (England) Ltd. indicate that there are 200 such refuges in England. I will write to the hon. Member about numbers of places in each local authority. Refuges in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.