HC Deb 10 December 1998 vol 322 cc270-1W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been paid during each of the last 10 years in compensation to persons wrongly convicted; and what was(a) the highest, (b) the lowest and (c) the average sum awarded. [62267]

Mr. Ingram

During the relevant period, the total amounts of compensation paid to persons whose convictions have been quashed were, by year:

year Amount awarded(£)
1993 75,000.00
1994 25,000.00
1995 650,000.00
1997 263,969.50
1998 82,936.21

Only one application for compensation has been paid in full, amounting to £456,905.71. It is not possible, therefore, to provide information about the highest, lowest and average amounts awarded.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she has taken to make available the published guidelines on compensation for miscarriages of justice to interested parties. [62268]

Mr. Ingram

The guidelines on compensation for miscarriages of justice are automatically made available to the legal representatives of all persons the Secretary of State has determined to be eligible for such compensation. They are also available on request to other interested parties.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people whose convictions have been quashed over each of the last 10 years have(a) applied for and (b) received compensation. [62266]

Mr. Ingram

(a) The numbers of persons who have applied for statutory compensation after their convictions had been quashed during the relevant period were, by year:

Year Applicants
1992 3
1997 1

(b) All of these persons have been paid compensation in full or have been paid interim amounts.