HC Deb 07 November 1980 vol 991 cc672-3W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much compensation has been paid by the State in each year since 1969 in respect of other claims for damage to property where no legal action was involved.

Mr. Alison

So far as it is possible to do so, the information requested is set out in the tables below. Table I indicates the amount of compensation paid in each year since 1969 under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 and its predecessors for damage caused by the security forces in the exercise of their lawful duty.

It is not possible except at disproportionate cost to identify claims that have been settled by arbitration in the county courts and they are therefore subsumed in table I. Table II indicates the amount of compensation paid by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland in each year since 1971 in respect of accidental damage to, and loss of, property.

TABLE 1
Financial Year Compensation Paid
£
1969/70 Nil
1970/71 2,505
1971/72 1,246
1972/73 13,142
1973/74 34,156
1974/75 27,848
1975/76 12,820
1976/77 139,335
1977/78 112,589
1978/79 83,429
1979/80 140,441
1980 to 31.10.80 69,522
Total 637,033

TABLE II
Calendar Year Compensation paid
£
1971 Nil
1972 Nil
1973 165.33
1974 422.94
1975 1,307.17
1976 921.04
1977 1,374.08
1978 1,203.50
1979 735.76
1980 to 31.10.80 1,695.99
Total 7,825.81