HC Deb 04 November 1988 vol 139 cc784-5W
Mr. Churchill

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will detail in theOfficial Report all cases over the past 10 years when his Department has been required by the courts, or in consequence of legal pressure, to pay compensation or make an ex-gratia payment to individuals or companies in consequence of negligence or error by his Department.

Mr. Maude

[holding answer 3 November 1988]: Details of special payments are published each year in the relevant appropriation accounts, summaries of which for my Department and its predecessors are as follows. The circumstances of such payments vary widely, and it is not possible to classify them in the way requested. Most cases involving substantial amounts arise from discretionary payments relating to the Department's various programmes of industrial support.

£ (Cases)
1978–79 123,000 (29)
1979–80 359,000 (26)
1980–81 4,426,000 (184)
1981–82 4,387,000 (94)
1982–83 1,953,000 (162)
1983–84 338,000 (59)
1984–85 1,096,000 (9)
1985–86 312,000 (34)
1986–87 290,000 (147)
1987–88 1,749,000 (145)