§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many claims were made for compensation following the Toxteth disturbances in 1981; how many have been settled; and how many are still outstanding.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI understand that, following the Toxteth disturbances in 1981, the Merseyside county 523W council, as the statutory compensating authority, received 723 claims for compensation. Of those, 222 were rejected as not being eligible, 41 were withdrawn or not proceeded with and 424 claims settled. There are 36 claims outstanding.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount of compensation paid following the Toxteth disturbances in 1981.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI understand that the total amount paid to date by the Merseyside county council following the disturbances in Toxteth and other areas of Merseyside has been £4,676,041.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the reason for the delay in settling compensation claims following the Toxteth disturbances in 1981; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe Merseyside county council is responsible under the Riot Damages Act 1886 for settling compensation claims. I am not in a position therefore to give reasons for any delays which might have occurred in settling claims. I understand, however, that of the 36 outstanding claims, the council is waiting for further information from 35 of the claimants. The remaining case is to be the subject of a High Court action.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis compensation claims were settled following the Toxteth disturbances in 1981.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinFollowing the disturbances in Toxteth and other areas of Merseyside in 1981, compensation claims were settled in accordance with the provisions of the Riot Damages Act 1886. The Act provides for compensation for loss or damage to houses, shops, buildings and their contents arising from a riot. The Act does not provide compensation for loss of earnings or business or for losses when a riot is not deemed to have taken place.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will state the highest claim for compensation which has been settled following the Toxteth disturbances in 1981.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinMerseyside county council was responsible under the Riot Damages Act 1886 for settling compensation claims following the disturbances in Toxteth. Details of individual settlements are confidential to the county council and the claimants. I am not in a position therefore to state the highest claim for compensation which has been settled.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the cost of compensation claims made following the Toxteth disturbances in 1981 have been borne by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe contribution to date by Her Majesty's Government towards the cost of the compensation claims settled following the Toxteth disturbances has been £2,841,190. This contribution relates not only to the disturbances in Toxteth but also to other disturbances in other parts of Merseyside in 1981.