§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims for compensation have been made by small businesses following the Toxteth riots in July 1981; how many have been settled and how many are still outstanding.
§ Mr. MayhewUnder the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 it is the county council which is responsible for dealing with compensation claims. We understand from Merseyside county council that the information readily available is as follows: a total of 721 claims from Toxteth and other areas were received; 287 have been settled, 228 did not meet the criteria of the 1886 Act and 29 were withdrawn. One hundred and seventy seven claims are still being assessed. We understand that the majority of claims were made by individual shopkeepers.