HC Deb 02 November 2000 vol 355 cc601-2W
Mr. Hilary Benn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Children's Society about the Safe House in Leeds; and if he will make a statement. [136096]

Mr. Hutton

We would like to pay tribute to the Children's Society and all those involved over the years in running the Leeds Safe House. We are pleased to see that, although the refuge has closed, the Society will continue to help young runaways in Leeds through its work in the Leeds Safe on the Streets network.

The Children's Society and the Department are currently in discussions about developing other more flexible ways of meeting the needs of children and young people who run away from home and we are keen to see these develop for all such children across the country.