§ 16. Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been paid in compensation for injury and damage to property since 1968 to date; and how much is outstanding.
§ Mr. ConcannonThe amount paid under the Criminal Injuries Acts (Northern Ireland) 1956–71 in respect of damage to property since current records were started in 1969 to 31st May 1976 is £154,006,028. The estimated value of claims outstanding is currently under review, and I shall write to my hon. Friend when the figures are available.
§ Mr. WeetchThese are very substantial amounts of money. Can my hon. Friend tell me who was responsible for paying these sums of money before the present arrangements were made? Can he also say under which existing legislation these amounts are paid at present?
§ Mr. ConcannonPrior to this matter becoming the responsibility of the United Kingdom taxpayer, there were two different arrangements. In 1957 the responsibility lay with the ratepayers of the council areas in Northern Ireland. Latterly, when it became expensive it was done on a fifty-fifty basis between them and Stormont. Since 1971, of course, it has been the responsibility of the United Kingdom taxpayer. All this legislation was passed in the old Stormont.