HC Deb 12 December 1985 vol 88 cc701-2W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received the report of the interdepartmental working party reviewing the criminal injuries compensation scheme; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

I understand that the working party has not yet completed its deliberations, but we hope to receive its report early in the new year.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the level of grant to the National Association of Victim Support Schemes in 1984–85 and 1985–86; and what level of grant is proposed for 1986–87.

Mr. Mellor

The Government's grant to NAVSS in 1984–85 was £58,500. In 1985–86 it was £120,000, with an additional payment of £6,000 towards the cost of the association's move to new premises. The grant for 1986–87 has not yet been settled, but it will be based on that for 1985–86 with a modest increase to reflect inflation and the higher level of activity resulting from the recent recruitment of new members of staff.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the number of additional part-time and full-time staff recruited by the National Association of Victim Support Schemes in 1985–86 as a result of his Department's increased grants.

Mr. Mellor

The National Association of Victims Support Schemes has been able to recruit four additional full-time staff in the current financial year.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board has yet made available to criminal courts guidelines for the level of compensation orders in courts.

Mr. Mellor

The board has prepared a set of draft guidelines for the criminal courts and we have received comments on them from the Magistrates' Association. We will be consulting further on these with the board and the association.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet completed his consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers about the provision of a leaflet, together with a Criminal Injuries Compensation Board claim form, to all victims of crime when the crime is first reported.

Mr. Mellor

The police already provide victims of violent crime with a leaflet about the criminal injuries compensation scheme and how to apply for compensation under the scheme. We intend to produce another leaflet, for distribution to all victims of crime, explaining the powers of the criminal courts in England and Wales to order the payment of compensation by a convicted offender. We are consulting the Association of Chief Police Officers, among others, about the nature and content of the leaflet, including the possibility of a standard application form for compensation by the offender.