§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) timetable and (b) guidelines exist for compensating the owners of unusual hand guns; and what arrangements exist for paying interest on delayed compensation. [18619]
§ Mr. MichaelThose handguns not listed under options A and B of the Firearms Compensation Scheme will have been claimed for under option C, which required owners to attach evidence of value. These particular claims, because they require individual assessment of the evidence provided, are being deferred to allow faster processing of claims submitted under the first two options. Many option C claimants have also claimed under other options and so will receive a part payment of their claim first. It is expected that most, if not all, option C claims will have been dealt with by the end of 1998. This position is in accordance with our earlier expectations and was made clear in the information sent out to potential claimants in June. There are no arrangements in the Scheme for the payment of interest on claims.