HC Deb 01 July 1976 vol 914 c640
10. Mr. Dunlop

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the criterion for compensation for a hijacked car used as a car bomb.

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. J. D. Concannon)

Compensation in respect of a hijacked car used as a car bomb may be claimed under the Criminal Injuries to Property (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971. The criteria governing the payment of compensation in such a case are the same as for any other criminal damage.

The main criteria are that the aggregate amount of damage must exceed £20 and that the damage sustained must have been caused by members of an unlawful association or in a riotous situation.

Mr. Dunlop

Is the Minister aware that one of my constituents whose car was used for a car bomb in Portadown three years ago, as a result of which the offenders were given sentences of imprisonment of eight years, has not yet been recompensed for the loss of his vehicle? Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the Criminal Injuries Board will speed up the payment of compensation?

Mr. Concannon

I shall examine that matter. If the hon. Gentleman examines this subject, he will find that any lack of speed in paying out compensation is often not a matter for my Department but lies elsewhere.

Sir J. Langford-Holt

How does the Minister discover whether an organisation is lawful or unlawful in deciding whether to pay compensation when, by definition, the identity of those concerned is not known?

Mr. Concannon

The Chief Constable has to issue a certificate in this respect.