§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department will review its current restrictions upon the use of its grant funding to victim support in view of the possible closure of local offices and reduction of services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Patten[holding answer 14 November 1990]: The Home Office grant-in-aid for local victim support schemes in England and Wales—£4.5 million this year—is administered by the funding panel of the national charity Victim Support under criteria which have been agreed with the Home Office and are reviewed annually. The 350 or so local schemes rely largely on voluntary help, but Home Office grant is available to pay for up to two co-ordinators in each scheme or to assist with running costs. There has been no reduction in Home Office grant which will, subject to parliamentary approval, be increased by 20 per cent. to £5.4 million next year. It is open to local schemes faced with loss or reduction of funding from other sources to apply to the funding panel for new or extra grant.