§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many legal actions for compensation against the Government for death or injury caused by rubber bullets have been decided in court; in how many of these cases the judgment was given against the Government; and what is the total cost of compensation paid in these cases;
(2) how many legal actions for compensation against the Government for death or injury caused by plastic bullets have been decided in court; in how many of these cases the judgment was given against the Government; and what is the total cost of compensation paid in these cases;
(3) how many legal actions for compensation against the Government for death or injury caused by plastic bullets have been settled out of court; and what is the total cost of compensation in these cases;
(4) how many legal actions for compensation against the Government for death or injury caused by rubber bullets have been settled out of court; and what is the total cost of compensation in these cases.
§ Mr. ScottI have been asked to reply.
There have been no legal actions for compensation for injuries caused by rubber or plastic baton rounds in any part of the United Kingdom except Northern Ireland.
The information in respect of claims for compensation against the Police Authority for Northern Ireland or the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in cases of death or injury arising from the use of rubber or plastic baton rounds is as follows:
- (i) Two legal actions against the Police Authority for Northern Ireland (PANI) in respect of the use of rubber baton rounds have been decided in court. In one case judgment was given against the PANI and £2,000 compensation was awarded. The other case was dismissed.
- (ii) Four legal actions against the Chief Constable of the RUC in respect of the use of plastic baton rounds have been decided in court. In two cases judgment was given against the Chief Constable and compensation of £3,000 and £750 was awarded. The other two cases were dismissed.
- (iii) One legal action against the Chief Constable in respect of the use of plastic baton rounds has been settled out of court. The compensation paid in this case was £35,000.
- (iv) No legal actions against the Chief Constable or the PANT in respect of the use of rubber baton rounds have been settled out of court.
Information in respect of such claims against the Army is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Some applications have also been made for compensation under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 and the Criminal Injuries (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, but information relating to these claims is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.