§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what savings he expects from the changes in the criminal injuries compensation scheme announced on 1 February; how many people he estimates will no longer get compensation each year as a result of these changes; and how many of these are above the age of retirement.
§ Mr. MayhewIt is not possible to make precise estimates and the full effect of the change will not in any event be felt in 1983–84. Allowing for additional expenditure on bereavement awards, it is estimated that raising the lower limit to £400 may well produce a net saving of something over £600,000 in a full year by excluding from eligibility for compensation over 3,000 cases of minor injury. The chairman of the board considers that few, if any, people above the age of retirement will be affected. This is because, however small the physical injuries may be, the psychological effects almost invariably result in awards in such cases exceeding £400.