§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the provision of compensation for the victims of non-violent offences to be provided through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
§ Mr. BrittanThe courts have power in appropriate cases to order offenders to pay compensation, and loss and damage to property are generally covered by insurance. I do not consider that the substantial addition to public expenditure which my hon. Friend's suggestion would entail would be justified.