§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement about payment of compensation to people in Northern Ireland whose property was damaged prior to 12th November 1973 by organisations proscribed on that date.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe order made on 12th November under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act proscribes the Ulster Freedom Fighters and the Red Hand Commando. This enables a statutory claim to compensation to be considered in respect of damage caused in future by people acting on behalf of either organisation. Where an act has been committed before 12th November 1973 and the Chief Constable can confirm the involvement of either group, it is proposed to make an ex-gratia payment in lieu of compensation, provided the other qualifying conditions are satisfied.