§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the comments as made by Judge Argyle at the trial of Ian Breckenbridge sentencing him to seven years' imprisonment at the Old Bailey on Thursday 12 August, he will arrange for the woman who was attacked by Ian Breckenbridge to receive agreed compensation from his Department.
§ Mr. Younger:The release of Ian Breckenbridge, under licence, from a sentence of life imprisonment imposed in 1968 was authorised in full accordance with the statutory requirements after consultation with the judiciary and on the recommendation of the Parole Board for Scotland. No question of compensation has been raised with me or my Department by or on behalf of the lady attacked by Ian Breckenbridge earlier this year; and no liability for any such compensation is admitted. It is open to anyone who suffers criminal injuries to make an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for compensation from public funds.