§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many women and children used women's refuges in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years, and during 1994 to the latest available date;
(2) what assessment has been made by his Department of the level of demand for places in women's refuges; what plans he has to increase refuge provision; and if he will make a statement;
(3) how many (a) women's refuges and (b) places in women's refuges have been available to women escaping domestic violence in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years and at the latest available date.
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesThe Department does not hold information about the numbers of women's refuges, or places in refuges.
The provision of women's refuges is best decided by local authorities and other agencies, taking into account such issues as the local supply of housing available for short-term use in emergency situations. Under the homelessness legislation local authorities have a statutory duty to provide accommodation or to assist persons who are at risk from domestic violence.
For information about Wales I refer the hon. Lady to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much(a) capital funding and (b) revenue funding has been provided by his Department to women's refuges in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesIn 1994–95 the Department is providing, through the Housing Corporation, £3.1 million capital funding for women's aid projects in England, largely to provide refuge places. Comparative figures for earlier years are given in the table.
Year £million 1988–89 6.4 1989–90 2.1 1990–91 1.7 1991–92 5.2 1992–93 5.4 1993–94 5.8 Information is not available about revenue funding, or for years prior to 1988–89. For information about. Wales I refer the hon. Lady to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.