§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to provide specific funding for local authorities to provide home safety initiatives; [9682]
(2) what plans he has to make the provision of home safety initiatives a mandatory function of local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [9683]
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§ Mr. MacleanI have been asked to reply.
None. Local authorities all over the country are already engaged in productive crime prevention/community safety initiatives with the police, local businesses and the voluntary sector. This has been achieved without central funding and without the burden of a new statutory responsibility. I see no need to change arrangements which have worked so well.