§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support his Department offers for the relatives of murder victims; and if he will make a statement. [47435]
§ Mr. MichaelIn addition to the support provided by state funded services, including the National Health Service, Social Services, the police and other criminal justice agencies, the Home Office funds two national voluntary organisations which are able to offer practical help and emotional support to the families and friends of murder victims, both in the immediate aftermath of the murder and on a longer-term basis. In 1998–99, the Home Office grant to Victim Support will amount to £12.7 million, and the grant to Support After Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM) will amount to £43,000.
The Home Office also produces a pack called "Information for Families of Homicide Victims", which contains leaflets on a number of subjects. The pack is handed to friends and relatives by the police at the earliest suitable opportunity following the murder.
Pilot scheme Area covered Better Government for Older People Scottish Borders Council Stirling Council South Lanarkshire Council Disqualification from Driving for all Offences Paisley Sheriff Court Perth Sheriff Court Initiative at the Edge (Iomairt Air An Oir) Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) Argyll and Bute Council Highland Council Northern Periphery: ERDF Article 10 Pilot Action Programme Eligible Areas: Highlands and Islands Objective 1 Area and adjacent Objective 5(b) areas of North West Grampian and Rural Stirling/Upland Tayside Pilot Scheme under Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Glasgow Penalty) Regulations 1997 Regional Selective Assistance Priority Initiative—Pilots Glasgow North Glasgow East End Dundee West Dunbartonshire North Ayrshire (3 Towns—Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston)