Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the arrangements for compensation for malicious damage to property in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesCompensation for malicious damage to property in Northern Ireland is governed by the Criminal Injuries to Property (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 which came into force on 1st April 1973. Despite the number and complexity of cases and the circumstances which have 83W caused them, I believe the Act has worked reasonably well.
Nevertheless, the time has come for a fresh look at the arrangements. I am, therefore, setting up a committee under the chairmanship of Sir James Waddell, CB, lately Deputy Under-Secretary of State in die Home Office, to review the principles and operation of the Criminal Injuries to Property (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 and to make recommendations to me as soon as possible. The committee will consist of representatives from the legal, insurance, loss adjusters, and valuation professions, with two members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service acting as assessors.