To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many domestic violence refuge places there are per head of the population in each local authority area; (188276)

This Government take extremely seriously the issue of protection for people at risk of domestic violence. We do not currently hold the information requested centrally. However we plan to commission new research that will look at the provision of refuge bed spaces and the effectiveness of other housing interventions across the country.

As my hon. Friend will be aware, I agreed during the committee stage of the Housing and Regeneration Bill to consider her amendment which would allow people who are homeless because of domestic violence to have priority need and be owed a homelessness duty. I will report back to my hon. Friend and the House in due course.