HC Deb 04 August 1965 vol 717 cc351-2W
Mr. Howe

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the information so far published by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board about decisions of the Board or its members and the reasons for such decisions is insufficient to enable applicants for compensation or their advisers to understand the principles by which the Board is guided; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the Board's decisions are more fully set out in an indexed and printed series of reports in which could be observed the principles by which the Board is guided in accepting or refusing a claim, in determining the admissibility of evidence, in deciding upon whom lies the burden of proving relevant facts, in regulating the procedure to be adopted in pursuing a claim and in determining the scale of an award.

Sir F. Soskice

The Board have published monthly summaries of their decisions and a simple guide to the principles of the scheme. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the latter and of the scheme itself. The Board's first report to me and the Secretary of State for Scotland will be published shortly. The Board's procedure is informal; and their staff are always prepared to give advice to intending applicants. I am not aware that applicants have experienced difficulties, and I am not at present satisfied that there is any further information that could usefully be published during this experimental stage.

Mr. Howe

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to regulate the procedure of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and so define the principles to be applied by the Board in admitting or refusing claims and in determining the scale of its awards.

Sir F. Soskice

The principles to be applied by the Board are set out in the compensation scheme, the text of which was given in a Written Answer by my predecessor on 24th June, 1964, and subsequently published by the Board. I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The scheme is experimental and I think it is desirable to let the experiment continue for a time before considering the introduction of legislation.