§ Mr. Palmerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take action to increase the upper limit of compensation to victims of criminal assault which is limited to twice average male industrial earnings under existing legislation.
§ Mr. JohnThe limit to which my hon. Friend refers applies only to that part of an award of compensation which is for loss of earnings or, where the victim has died, loss of income by the dependants. The limit is self-adjusting, and we have no plans to raise it before receiving the report of the working party which is reviewing the operation of the criminal injuries compensation scheme.
§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many compensation orders have been made by the courts each year since 1973.
§ Mr. JohnThe results of a special study showed that, in 1973, the criminal courts in England and Wales made compensation orders against 61,855 persons. I am obtaining figures for 1975 and will write to the hon. Member. Information for 1974, however, is not readily available.