§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what practical assistance is offered by Her Majesty's Government to women victims of sexual and physical abuse in relation to the provision of refuges;
(2) what plans he has to extend financial support beyond the National Women's Aid Federation to other groups that are affiliated to this federation.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI have been asked to reply.
Practical assistance and funding for individual refuges are local matters, and there are no plans to change this. However, many residents in women's refuges are entitled to and receive social security benefits, and individual refuges receive practical advice and support from the Women's Aid Federation (England) Ltd. which is grant-aided by the Department.