HL Deb 01 July 1964 vol 259 cc593-4

3.17 p.m.

LORD SILKIN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose to make any changes in the proposals contained in the White Paper on Compensation for Victims of Crimes of Violence; and, if so, whether they propose to issue to the Victims of Crimes of Violence Compensation Board instructions at variance with those proposals, or whether they intend to present to Parliament a White Paper containing their revised proposals.]

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, in reply to a Question by the noble Lord on June 24, I informed your Lordships of the amendments made to the compensation scheme in the light of the debates in this House and in another place. It is not the Government's intention to publish a further White Paper, but the amended scheme, which was set out in full in my reply of June 24, will be reprinted in leaflet form for the benefit of intending applicants.

LORD SILKIN

My Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for his courtesy in sending me a copy of the revised White Paper, which in fact is a new White Paper and contains the whole of the scheme for compensation for victims of crimes of violence? Is the noble Lord aware that those of us who took part in the debate will be gratified that, for once, some of the representations made have been met in the revised White Paper? I hope it will be a success.

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for what he has said. He will remember that the object of the debate was that we should get the advice of the two Houses of Parliament.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, would the Government not consider extending the scheme to cover those motoring offences where the vehicle is not identified, which means that the compulsory third party insurance does not apply and the victims' only hope is that the Motor Insurance Bureau will be generous towards them?

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, the operation of the Motor Insurance Bureau is a matter for my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport. I understand, however, that before making payment the Bureau has to be satisfied that there is a reasonable certainty that, if there had been proceedings against the driver, the court would have awarded damages. I do not think that it would be appropriate to attempt to extend this scheme, which is designed to deal with crimes of violence, to cover injuries caused by unidentified vehicles in cases where the driver would not have been held liable.