§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why applications for compensation from victims of crime are reaching him at the rate of 548 per month this year as compared with 275 last year; when he expects a reduction in the crime rate reflected in these figures; and what new steps he is taking to achieve this;
(2) why the annual rate of compensation to victims of crimes of violence has averaged over the last four years £800,000, as compared with Her Majesty's Government's original estimate of £200,000 per annum.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganThe increase in applications is to be attributed less to294W an increase in the rate of crimes of violence than to greater public awareness of the scheme.
The increase in expenditure on compensation awards is a result mainly of the increased number of applications. The estimate of £200,000 was an early estimate made in 1956 of the annual cost of a possible compensation scheme based on the Industrial Injuries Scheme; this was not the basis adopted when the present scheme was inaugurated in 1964.
My right hon. Friend cannot forecast the future rate of crime; but he has made it clear that the police can expect his full support in their endeavour to reduce it.
§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why his scheme for compensation to victims of crimes of violence provides for all cases being considered and decided in privacy by lawyers; how much was paid out last year in lawyers' fees; and if he will allow this work to be done in public.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganPublic hearings would be inconsistent with the character of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which provides an informal and confidential procedure for dealing with claims and settling them on anex gratia basis. Legal qualification is desirable in members of the board, since the basis of compensation is common law damages. These and other provisions of the scheme will be subject to reconsideration when its operation is reviewed.
Fees paid to members of the Board in 1967–68 amounted to £16,828.
§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) why he has refused to make amendments to the scheme for compensation to victims of crime until he has received the report of the committee investigating reparation by criminals;
(2) why he refuses to publish the report of the committee investigating reparation by criminals.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganMy right hon. Friend has already made one amendment to this experimental scheme: others are under consideration. Proposals to alter the fundamental structure of the scheme must, however, await the full evaluation 295W of the experiment; and this in my view should be carried out in the light of the conclusions of the Advisory Council on the Penal System regarding the possibility of obtaining reparation from the offender. My right hon. Friend expects to receive next year the Advisory Council's report which will then be published.