§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide the financial help needed by Manchester's victim support schemes to avert closure; what representations he has had about their urgent need for alternative funding; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Home Office grant for local victim support schemes, which has increased by 20 per cent. from £4.5 million last year to £5.4 million this year, is administered by Victim Support under criteria which have been revised this year to allow grants for both salaries and running costs to be paid to schemes which are in danger of closure. Applications from a number of Manchester schemes are being considered by Victim Support nationally.
We have received representations about the funding of Manchester schemes from local Members of Parliament, district councils, representatives of Victim Support and the police.