HC Deb 22 November 1976 vol 919 cc943-4W
Sir Nigel Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the average delay in settling compensation claims for death and injury in 1976; and whether the procedures can be expedited.

Mr. Concannon

The average waiting time for all claims under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (NI) 1968 for death and injury in which settlements were made in the quarter ended 30th June 1976, the latest period for which figures are available, was 73 weeks. This was a reduction of four weeks from the waiting time in respect of claims paid in the previous quarter. Continuing efforts are being made to reduce the waiting time. In a statutory scheme, settlement is not solely a matter for executive action, and delays can be caused by the legally obligatory processes outside executive control, including actions by the claimant and his legal representatives, and the production of medical and police documentation.

Sir Nigel Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many claims for compensation as a result of knee capping were made in 1975; and what were the average sums awarded.

Mr. Concannon

The records of administration of the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 are not maintained in such a way as to distinguish claims made for "knee capping" from any other type of criminal injury. The average sum awarded for all types of criminal injury under this Act in the financial year 1975–76 was £1,536.

Sir Nigel Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many notices of compensation claims under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Act 1963 have been received from Service men since 1st April 1969 to date in respect of injuries sustained in Northern Ireland; and how many such claims are still outstanding.

Mr. Concannon

2,680 claims for compensation under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 have been made by Service men from 1st April 1969 to 31st October 1976. There were 849 claims still outstanding at 31st October 1976.