Indeed, it is accepted under current case law that a person staying in a refuge may still be homeless within the meaning of the Housing Act 1985. In general, there is nothing in the provisions of this Bill that would prevent a woman subject to immigration control being accommodated in a refuge provided by a voluntary organisation, including a housing association. I hope that that assurance helps the noble Earl and that he will feel able to withdraw his amendment. As he is withdrawing it, he may be interested to hear my firming up the advice I gave earlier regarding children. We move from women to children, but it is not too great a distance in relation to some of these matters.
Authorities have an obligation to discharge duties under the Children Act.
It is for them to decide how they are discharged. Often, it will be more economic to support the whole family rather than take children into care. The special grant rules do not require specific action. I hope that that is helpful and will save correspondence.