HC Deb 17 April 1973 vol 855 cc95-8W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the work of the Criminal Injuries Board; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. R. Carr

While the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, under the administration of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, is in general working satisfactorily, I have set up an official working party to review its operation, with the following terms of referenceTo review the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in the light of its operation since 1964, and, taking into account the views of interested bodies, to frame proposals for placing the scheme, with such modifications as may appear desirable, on a statutory footing.

The working party will comprise officials of the Home Office, the Scottish Home and Health Department, the Lord Chancellor's Office and the Treasury, and of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. It will begin work shortly and will take steps to canvass opinion among interested bodies.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total percentage of successful claims awarded by the Criminal Injuries Board.

Mr. Carlisle

From the establishment of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme on 1st August 1964 until the end of the financial year 1972–73, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board made awards in approximately 85 per cent. of the cases resolved.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the percentage of successful claims to the Criminal Injuries Board from Liverpool citizens to the latest available date;

(2) what is the highest award by the Criminal Injuries Board to a Liverpool citizen to the latest available date;

(3) how many claims have been made to the Criminal Injuries Board by Liverpool citizens to the latest available date;

(4) what is the total amount of damages awarded by the Criminal Injuries Board to Liverpool citizens to the latest available date;

(5) if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT a breakdown of successful and unsuccessful claims made to the Criminal Injuries Board by Liverpool citizens on a yearly basis since the operation of the scheme.

Mr. Carlisle

This information is not available. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board does not categorise information about applications or awards by reference to the domicile of applicants.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the highest award by the Criminal Injuries Board to the latest available date.

Mr. Carlisle

£51,000.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of claims made to the Criminal Injuries Board to the latest available date.

Mr. Carlisle

Up to the end of the financial year 1972–73, 53,549 applications had been received by the Board.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total amount of damages awarded by the Criminal Injuries Board to the latest available date.

Mr. Carlisle

By 31st March 1973, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board had awarded £15,167,504.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total cost of the administration of the Criminal Injuries Board to the latest available date.

Mr. Carlisle

The cost of the administration of the Criminal Injuries Com-

Applications received Awards made No award made Applications withdrawn or abandoned
1st August 1964 to 31st March 1965 554 114 8 8
1st April 1965 to 31st March 1966 2,452 1,164 190 21
1st April 1966 to 31st March 1967 3,312 2,404 260 53
1st April 1967 to 31st March 1968 5,316 3,490 331 48
1st April 1968 to 31st March 1969 6,437 5,060 852 73
1st April 1969 to 31st March 1970 7,247 5,614 1,079 124
1st April 1970 to 31st March 1971 7,419 4,901 907 85
1st April 1971 to 31st March 1972 9,886 8,102 1,189 158
1st April 1972 to 31st March 1973 (provisional) 10,926 8,322 1,350 165
Totals 53,549 39,171 6,166 735

On 1st April 1973, 6,257 cases were pending and there were 1,220 in which an interim award had been made.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims have been made to the Criminal Injuries Board relating to injuries which resulted in the death of the claimant.

Mr. Carlisle

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board does not classify applications on this basis. From the establishment of the scheme on 1st August 1964 until the end of the financial year 1972–73, the number of cases in which an application was made following the death of the victim as a consequence of the injury and a final decision was made by the board and accepted by the applicant is estimated to be 879.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims to the Criminal Injuries Board related to claims which resulted in the total incapacity of the claimant.

Mr.Carlisle

I regret that this information is not available.

pensation Scheme from its establishment on 1st August 1964 until the end of the financial year 1972–73 is estimated to be approximately £1,561,000.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT a total breakdown of claims, successful and unsuccessful, made to the Criminal Injuries Board on a yearly basis since the operation of the scheme.

Mr. Carlisle

The information is given in the following table:

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average award made by claimants to the Criminal Injuries Board to the latest available date.

Mr. Carlisle

The average award by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in the period 1st August 1964 until 31st March 1973 is estimated at £387.