§ 30. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what payment of compensation has been made to Mr. Francis McGuigan and where; and when the result of the review of compensation policy will be published.
§ 31. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to rectify the disparity in the amounts of compensation awarded to the widows of murdered Service men and those awarded to terrorists for alleged ill-treatment under interrogation.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the £12,000 compensation for Mr. McGuigan.
§ Mr. MulleyThe normal processes of law are available to anybody who considers that he has been ill treated whilst in custody. All 14 men subjected to the five techniques of interrogation in depth in Northern Ireland in 1971 instituted proceedings in the Northern Ireland High Court, and Mr. McGuigan is the thirteenth to be compensated. A settlement in this case was agreed at £11,750, to be paid to his solicitor in Belfast.
Awards to the widows of murdered Service men are made under the Criminal Injuries to Persons (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1968, which is operated by the Northern Ireland Office. Such awards are intended to compensate for financial loss resulting from criminal activities. Service widows receive lump sums and pensions from the Forces Family Pension Scheme and this is taken account of in assessing the award under the Act.
I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will be writing to the hon. Member.
365Wfor Epping Forest (Mr. Biggs-Davison) about the question of publication of the results of the review of compensation policy.