§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any payments relating to border explosions damage have been paid to the Government of the Republic of Ireland in respect of compensation awarded to citizens of the Republic in the last five years; what payments have been made by Her Majesty's Government in relation to damage caused by British security forces operations; and what payments have been made in relation to damage arising from other explosions where the causation was uncertain.
§ Mr. John PattenNo payments relating to border explosions damage have been made to the Government of30W the Republic of Ireland in respect of compensation awarded to citizens of the Republic in the last five years. Between 1969 and 31 December 1981—the last date for which information is readily available—£861,154 was paid in compensation under the Northern Ire] and (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 and its predecessors for damage caused in Northern Ireland by the security forces in the exercise of their lawful duty. In addition, the Ministry of Defence pays compensation for damage or the basis of legal liability arising from the activities of the Armed Forces. Details of the payments arising from their activities in Northern Ireland could be separately identified only at disproportionate cost.
Compensation is not payable for damage arising from explosions of uncertain cause except insofar as such damage may meet the requirements of the Criminal Damage (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977.