North Down MP Lady Hermon has called on the Government to ensure new proposals to tackle domestic violence are extended to Northern Ireland.

Speaking in the House of Commons following Home Secretary David Blunkett's statement on a new domestic violence consultation paper for England and Wales, the Ulster Unionist member asked the Minister was he aware of Northern Ireland's own domestic violence problem and could he confirm that the new proposals would be extended to the province?

Responding, Mr Blunkett assured the Ulster Unionist MP that the Home Office was "liaising directly with the Northern Ireland Office" to ensure that "the draft Bill should incorporate for Northern Ireland those aspects that are relevant to Northern Ireland and that are not already part of Northern Ireland practice".

"As you know better than I do, in some respects Northern Ireland has been ahead of the consultation laid out today for England and Wales, not least in terms of arrestability and the way that cases are dealt with," he added.

Among the plans for England and Wales are new proposals for education and the availability of advice for victims. The Government also plans to make it a criminal offence to breach a civil order such as a non-molestation order and providing stronger legal protection for victims through extending the use of restraining orders.

There will also be a register of civil orders to allow faster background-checking and more refuge places.

(MB)