HC Deb 12 March 1973 vol 852 cc267-8W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average length of delay in meeting malicious damage compensation claims; how many claims have been made since 1st January 1969; how many have been settled and how much has been paid; how many are still being negotiated; and what he estimates to be the value of the outstanding claims.

Mr. Peter Mills

Information about the average time taken to complete the statutory requirements for passing claims for compensation is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

During the period 1st January 1969 to 31st December 1972, 48,648 claims for malicious damage compensation were received by the eight county and county borough councils concerned. In the same period, 15,648 claims were cleared involving payments totalling £25,185,695. At 1st January 1973 there were 33,000 claims outstanding, the great majority of which are of comparatively recent origin. While estimates in such matters cannot be precise, it is possible that these claims may require payment of about £50 million.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in view of the delay in payment of malicious damage compensation claims, if he will consider proposing the amendment of Section 4 of the Criminal Injuries (Ireland) Act 1920, to allow the going rate of interest to be paid and also the interest on the compensation to be paid from the date of the damage.

Mr. Peter Mills

Section 4 of the Criminal Injuries (Ireland) Act 1920 was repealed by the Judgments (Enforcement) Act (Northern Ireland) 1969, and interest on malicious damage compensation awards is now determined under county court rules, as is done in respect of other decrees within the county court jurisdiction.

Since delays in such cases may arise from a variety of causes, many of which may be within the control of the applicant, it is not proposed to change the existing rule whereby interest is payable only from the date on which the decree is made.