To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how much is spent by his Department on funding research into child abuse, physical and sexual; how many such projects are funded; and if he will give the figures for each of the last five years.

The Department expects to spend a total of £157,200 in 1988 on research into child abuse: £90,600 will be spent on two projects concerned only with child sexual abuse, £16,600 on a project concerned with physical abuse and £50,000 on three projects researching both types of abuse. Figures for the last five years are as follows:

• 1987 £58,200–2 projects—physical and sexual abuse.
• 1986 £22,700–2 projects—physical abuse.
• 1985 £14,000–2 projects—physical abuse.
• 1984 £10,800–1 project—physical abuse.
• 1983 £3,200–1 project—physical abuse.