HL Deb 16 July 1986 vol 478 c902
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 what further steps are being take to reduce the number of outstanding cases dealt with by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

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

My Lords, the Home Office agreed last month to provide the board with five more staff. This is in addition to the planned increase of 13 which I mentioned during the proceedings on the noble Lord's Question on 8th April. We are continuing to consider what provision can be made in future years.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply and having seen the increase in the staff of the department, does the Minister not think it is time the department introduced more modern technology in the form of office machinery, and so on, to try to alleviate the difficulties within the department?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord. The Home Office computing division is on the point of completing a feasibility study into the possible computerisation of some of the routine aspects of the board's work. If it is cost-effective, we certainly intend that the greatest possible use should be made of technological changes such as that. There is also scope for improvement on the procedural aspects.