§ Mr. Sandelsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to amend the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in Great Britain.
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§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Secretary of State for Scotland and I have decided that compensation should be payable under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme only if the injury was one for which compensation of not less than £150 would be awarded. The present limit of £50, which was intended to exclude trivial cases, was set as long ago as 1964, and the increase is intended to restore its original value without changing the scope or purpose of the scheme. The new limit will apply where the injuries are sustained on or after 1st March 1977, and in respect of injuries sustained before that date if the application is received after 1st June 1977.
My right hon. Friend and I will consider whether any further change is necessary when we have the report of the Working Party which is at present conducting a review of the operation of the Great Britain scheme.