§ 45 and 46. Mr. Gurdenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why the public or Press are not allowed to attend the hearing of appeals to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board;
(2) why applicants' legal costs in appeals to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board are not met by the Board in successful cases.
§ Miss BaconThe scheme under which the Board operates was designed to provide an informal and confidential procedure for dealing with compensation claims. It provides that appeal hearings shall be held in private and that the Board will not pay any costs incurred by the applicant in legal representation. In due course the working of the scheme will be reviewed but my right hon. Friend considers that the present time is too early for such a review.