§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to improve the attendance of(a) social services departments and (b) health authorities at meetings of crime reduction partnerships; and if he will make a statement. [122283]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeWe have put in place a support programme for local crime and disorder reduction partnerships, part of which is aimed at maximising the involvement of all the statutory partners. As an example, we have recently launched a series of conferences organised jointly by the Home Office and the National Health Service Executive, for health service managers to increase awareness of the mutual advantages of partnerships working under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.