HL Deb 08 April 1986 vol 473 cc78-80

2.46 p.m.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware of the number of outstanding cases awaiting payment from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and what action they are taking to improve the position.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, we monitor continuously the workload of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, including the number of outstanding cases. At the end of 1985 there were some 48,000 applications at varying stages of resolution. The financial provision for the board in 1986–87 allows for an increase in staff and in compensation, which will help the situation, and we are assessing the appropriate provision for 1987–88 and future years.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

My Lords, while being grateful for the Answer that the Minister has given to the House, I should also be very grateful if he could speed up the process still further. Is the noble Lord aware that there are a number of cases that have been going on for some time? I am sure it gives the Minister concern, as well as all Members of this House.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, about 75 per cent. of the cases are resolved in a year or so, but the rising volume of applications to the board over a number of years has substantially increased the board's workload. However, this is a matter which is continually kept under review, as I indicated in the original Answer.

Lord Allen of Abbeydale

My Lords, is it the practice to make interim payments if the final conclusion is likely to take some time?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, in some cases, yes, interim payments are awarded.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, can the noble Lord say how many outstanding cases awaiting payment now exist? Is not shortage of staff a relevant factor?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the number of applications received in 1985 was 38,000. That was higher than in any previous year and 4,100 more than in 1984. The number of cases in progress, therefore, has increased by nearly 8,000, so the number actually in delay at various stages is about 48,000.

Lord Mishcon

My Lords, is the noble Lord the Minister aware of the report of the compensation board for the year 1984–85, which I believe was published in December 1985? It includes the following two sentences. The first reads: In the past 10 years the number of applications received by the Board has increased by 145 per cent. without any corresponding increase in staff. The second sentence reads: In the Board's view it is essential that early action should be taken not only to redress the balance but also to provide sufficient resources to match the inevitable increase in demand in future years. Having regard to the Minister's statement that monitoring is continuous by his Ministry, can he kindly tell the House what numbers by way of increase are now proposed in resources for the following year?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, in 1983 the board's staff complement was increased by 20 (that is, from 163 to 183) and a further increase of 13 staff has recently been agreed. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is aware of the difficulties and is considering whether it is possible to provide further increases of staff. So far as concerns finance, for Great Britain as a whole provision has been made for £44.7 million compensation and £5.2 million worth of administration expenditure. This will allow for an increase in staff and in compensation in the terms that I gave. I can give further figures about the overall expenditure if the noble Lord would like to have them.

Lord Donoughue

My Lords, will the noble Lord explain why some victims of the atrocity at the Grand Hotel, Brighton, have been paid and some have not? If the explanation relates to an interpretation of the legal implications of certain persons having been arrested in relation to that crime, does he not agree that the role of the compensation board is to compensate those who have been injured and has nothing to do with those who may have inflicted the injury? In replying, will the noble Lord bear in mind that Members on all sides of this House feel compassion for those who were injured, consider that they should be compensated and hope that the compensation will not be delayed by what I think might be called bureaucratic legalism?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I share the views of the noble Lord and the sympathy which he has expressed for those who were injured as a result of the Brighton bomb outrage; but it is the board's established practice not to make awards while related criminal proceedings are pending. Even in cases which are apparently as clear cut as bomb outrages, the board considers itself bound not to take action which might prejudice the fair trial of a defendant. Nevertheless, I note the noble Lord's point.