§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will seek to amend the law in respect of compensation in Northern Ireland so that the calculation of awards by the courts does 161W not differ significantly between members of the security forces and civilians.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI am reviewing the operation of the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1968. All claims under the Act are determined by the courts, which make no distinction between members of the security forces and civilians, either as victims or as dependants.
The Act, however, does require the courts, in calculating their award, to take into account certain statutory and other benefits payable to the claimant. This may lead to significant differences in awards but not in total benefit received.