§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether all those who have outstanding claims under the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 have been informed by letter of the details of retrospective payments contained in the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) Amendment (Northern Ireland) Order 1982.
§ Mr. John PattenThe order in question provides, inter alia, that the maximum amount of any discretionary award 135W payable to the widows and children of victims who die as a result of a criminal injury should be increased with retrospective effect from 10 December 1981.
Since that date 19 claims have been made by widows and these are being assessed. All those who qualify for discretionary awards will automatically be paid on the basis of the higher rates and no special action by claimants is needed. It has not therefore been considered necessary to write to claimants in advance of any offers which may be made.