§ 15. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek to revise the procedure of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board with regard to appeals.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganI should be glad to hear of any particular difficulty to which the present appeal procedure gives rise.
§ Mr. DavidsonDoes not my hon. Friend agree that, so long as awards are made on a common law basis by a panel of lawyers, there should be a built-in right of appeal so that the public can see that the scheme is being administered fairly?
§ Mr. MorganThis scheme operates on an ex gratia basis and deals with confidential claims in an informal way. In the circumstances I doubt very much whether an appeal procedure would be appropriate, but this is a matter which can be considered by the body under the reviewing system.
§ 16. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider changing the composition of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to include laymen and experts.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganAs stated on 20th November in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osbornel, legal qualification is desirable in members of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board since the basis of the scale of compensation is common law damages. The matter will, however, be looked at again when the operation of the scheme is reviewed.
§ Mr. DavidsonAs the scheme is meant to be informal, should it not be seen to be informal? Should there not be laymen and experts on the Board so that those who come before it may feel that they are treated fairly? Since there is no right of appeal, should not this be the case?
§ Mr. MorganI am afraid I do not agree. The members of the Board have to decide, first, whether or not a criminal offence has been committed, and secondly, whether the application is bona fide and whether the applicant is blameworthy and find what the quantum of damages should be. These are matters for lawyers to determine. Medical evidence can be brought and assessors can be brought into the consultation.
§ Mr. WhitakerWill my hon. Friend institute a wider study as to the feasibility of reparation and restitution for the victims of crimes?
§ Mr. MorganThat is rather different from the issues arising from the Question, but it is a matter which may be studied.