§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient period of time, as much detailed information as will' show to what extent police forces and the Metropolitan Police have had to pay compensation, either on a voluntary or court order basis, for illegal arrests or other reasons where actions of the police have been thought to be or have been declared wrong or illegal; and what action has been or will be taken to reduce these cases and costs in the future.
§ Mr. BrittanThis information is readily available only in respect of the Metropolitan Police Payments made in the last five years for damages or in settlement of claims arising from the wrongful act of a Metropolitan Police officer are as follows:
Year Number of cases Total amount paid £ 1976 7 7,521 1977 4 1,150 1978 12 50,945 1979 7 1,991 1980 11 9,035 Each case involving the possibility of compensation is and will be carefully examined.