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Mr. Heath: I am grateful for the Minister's comments. He has not entirely satisfied me, but I do not intend to press the new clause. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.
Motion and clause, by leave, withdrawn.
New Clause 6
'(1) In Part 4 of the Family Law Act 1996 (c.27) (family homes and domestic violence), for section 35(10) (one former spouse with no existing right to occupy) substitute—
"(10) An order under this section shall be limited so as to have effect for a specified period of six months, but may be extended on two occasions for a further period of six months unless an application is made to discharge the order."
(2) For section 36(10) (one cohabitant or former cohabitant with no existing right to occupy) substitute—
"(10) An order under this section shall be limited so as to have effect for a specified period of six months, but may be extended on two occasions for a further period of six months unless an application is made to discharge the order."
(3) For section 37(5) (neither spouse entitled to occupy) substitute—
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"(5) An order under this section shall be limited so as to have effect for a specified period of six months, but may be extended on two occasions for a further period of six months unless an application is made to discharge the order."
(4) For section 38(6) (neither cohabitant or former cohabitant entitled to occupy) substitute—
"(6) An order under this section shall be limited so as to have effect for a specified period of six months, but may be extended on two occasions for a further period of six months unless an application is made to discharge the order.".'.—[Mr. Heath.]
Brought up, and read the First time.
Mr. Heath: I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
Mr. Deputy Speaker : With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: New clause 17—Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (No.1)—
'(1) In this section, "Voluntary organisation" means a charity or an organisation operating on a not-for-profit basis.
(2) The Secretary of State shall establish, maintain and develop a national service known as the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service for the purpose of promoting the availability to victims of services of the descriptions specified in subsection (3) and, in particular, for securing (within the resources made available, and priorities set, in accordance with subsection (6)) that victims have access to services that effectively meet their needs.
(3) The descriptions of services referred to in subsection (1) are—
(a) the provision of help in developing and implementing a plan for ensuring the safety of the victim and the safety of the children of the victim as a priority,
(b) the provision of general information, relevant to the victim, about the law and legal system and the availability of legal services,
(c) the provision of help by the giving of advice as to how the law applies in the particular circumstances of the victim,
(d) the provision of advice as to the availability to the victim of relevant support services offered by other agencies,
(e) the provision of assistance in accessing services relevant to the victim that are offered by other agencies,
(f) the provision of help in relation to legal proceedings, whether in the family, criminal or civil courts.
(4) The services of the descriptions specified in subsection (3) shall be accessible to victims at any hour and on any day and shall be provided by persons of the same sex as the victim where requested by the victim.
(5) The Secretary of State shall establish and maintain a fund known as the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service Fund from which services of the descriptions specified in subsection (3) shall be funded as part of the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service.
(6) The Secretary of State shall prepare a code setting out the criteria according to which he will decide how to fund services as part of the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service.
(7) When preparing the code referred to in subsection (6) the Secretary of State shall consult all relevant bodies (and, in particular, voluntary organisations) who are able to communicate the views of victims of domestic violence.
(8) The Secretary of State may accredit, or authorise others to accredit, voluntary organisations providing services of the descriptions specified in subsection (3); and any system of accreditation shall include provision for the monitoring of the services provided by accredited organisations and for the withdrawal of accreditation from any providing services of unsatisfactory quality.
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(9) The Secretary of State may fund services as part of the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service by—
(a) entering into contracts with voluntary organisations for the provision of services by them,
(b) making payments to voluntary organisations in respect of the provision of services by them,
(c) making grants or loans to voluntary organisations to enable them to provide, or facilitate the provision of, services,
(d) establishing and maintaining voluntary organisations to provide, or facilitate the provision of, services,
(e) making grants or loans to individuals to enable them to obtain services,
(f) doing anything else which he considers appropriate for funding services.
(10) The Secretary of State may by order require accredited bodies providing services of the descriptions specified in subsection (3) to discharge those services in accordance with the order.'.
New clause 23—Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (No.2)—
'(1) The Secretary of State shall establish, maintain and develop a national service to be known as the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service to promote the availability of the services specified in subsection (2) to victims of domestic violence.
(2) The services referred to in subsection (1) are—
(a) the provision of help in developing and implementing a plan for ensuring the safety of the victim and the safety of the children of the victim as a priority;
(b) the provision of general information, relevant to the victim, about the law and legal system and the availability of legal services;
(c) the provision of help by the giving of advice as to how the law applies in the particular circumstances of the victim;
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