§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review levels of criminal injuries compensation following the judgment in the case of Heilv. Rankin. [144926]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeWe have no plans to review levels of compensation as a consequence of the Heilv. Rankin judgment in the Court of Appeal. The tariff-based compensation scheme introduced with effect from 1 April 1996 broke the link with common law damages. Applications received on or after that date are determined by reference to a tariff of awards for injuries of comparable severity. Changes in levels of damages paid for personal injury in civil cases more generally have no effect on such tariff awards. However, compensation being awarded in the residual cases lodged before 1 April 1996 under the former common law damages scheme takes due account of the judgment.