Baroness Sharpiesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they propose to take with a view to introducing legislation to put the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme on a statutory basis.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Elton)We have appointed an interdepartmental working party with the following terms of reference:
"To review the revised Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in the light of its operation since 1979 and, taking into account the views expressed by the previous Interdepartmental Working Party, by Members of the House of Lords in the short debate on 14th December 1983 and by any interested bodies and individuals who may submit comments, to make recommendations for putting the Scheme into statutory form, with such modifications as may appear desirable in relation to the scope, cost, operation and administration of the Scheme".
The working party consists of officials of the Home Office, the Scottish Office, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, the Lord Chancellor's Department, HM Treasury, and the Northern Ireland Office. Organisations and individuals known to have a particular interest in the scheme are being invited to submit their views by the end of June. The working party would welcome also any observations which members of this House or others may care to offer. These should be addressed to: The Secretary, CICS Working Party, Room 334, Home Office, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT.