§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims he has received in each of the past 10 years for ex-gratia payments in respect of wrongful imprisonment; how many were admitted; and what were the payments in each of the cases.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe numbers of applications for compensation are not recorded, so the first part of the Question could not be answered without disproportionate cost. The numbers and amounts of the payments authorised in cases in which a conviction has been quashed or a free pardon has been granted were as follows:
Year Number of payments Amounts 1968 3 £250; £23; £100 1969 1 £5,000 1970 2 £850; £1,500 1971 3 £750; £1,250; £2,250 1972 — — 1973 — — 1974 1 £17,500 1975 2 £1,500; £2,000 1976 5 £5,000; £10,000* 1977 13 £300; £1,100; £1,500; £2,550* * In three cases in 1976 and nine in 1977 the final amount of the payment has not yet been settled. Interim payments have been made in the 1976 cases and one of the 1977 cases.