§ 4. Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any proposals to accelerate the payment of compensation for victims of crime.
§ Mr. HurdYes. The Government are providing an additional £114 million over the next three years to speed up the processing of applications under the criminal injuries compensation scheme.
62. Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has had to his new proposals to compensate the victims of crime from the proceeds of criminals.
§ Mr. MellorThe White Paper "Criminal Justice: Plans for Legislation" (Cmnd. 9658) announced the Government's intention to encourage the wider use of compensation orders by the criminal courts and to allow compensation to be paid, in appropriate cases, out of the sale of forfeited property. In the comments received on the White Paper, these proposals are widely welcomed. The Criminal Justice Bill, which is now before Parliament, gives effect to the proposals and would also allow compensation to be paid in appropriate circumstances out of proceeds confiscated from the offender under a confiscation order.