§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to discuss the delay in hearing cases, with particular reference to the case of Mr. Paul Melling of 8 Parkgate drive, Astley Bridge, Bolton; and if he will make a statement. [18904]
§ Mr. MacleanI am fully aware of the volume of cases awaiting a hearing before the board and, in consultation with its chairman, Lord Carlisle of Bucklow QC and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, I increased its membership last year to help reduce delays. Lord Carlisle knows that I am open to further approaches should he consider that further members are needed to complete the work on the 1990 scheme, now superseded by the tariff-based scheme effective from 1 April 1996. Ministers do not intervene in, or comment on, the handling of individual applications.