asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 19 March (WA 68), when they expect to decide on future funding for the care of persons leaving prostitution; and whether that funding will be a national allocation, given geographical differences in the distribution of persons requiring such care. [HL2870]

The Government's co-ordinated prostitution strategy recognises that those at risk of, or involved in, street prostitution have a range of complex needs, including housing, drug treatment and other health needs. In areas where prostitution markets exist, local partnerships are responsible for ensuring that adequate services are available to those involved in selling sex.

Ensuring that dedicated work takes place to support routes out of prostitution is part of our Tackling Violence Action Plan, published on 18 February. A decision on how this work will be taken forward will be made early in the 2008-09 financial year.