§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria is being used in the settling of claims for compensation arising from the Toxteth disturbances in 1981.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe Merseyside county council was responsible under the Riot Damages Act 1886 for settling compensation claims arising from the disturbances in Toxteth and other areas of Merseyside in 1981. Claims, were settled in accordance with the provisions of the 1886 Act, which provide for compensation for loss or damage to houses, shops, buildings and their contents arising from a riot. They do not provide compensation for loss of earnings or business or when a riot was not deemed to have taken place.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many claims for compensation were made following the Toxteth disturbances in Liverpool in 1981; how many have been settled; and how many are outstanding at the latest date.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinFollowing the Toxteth disturbances in 1981, the Merseyside county council, as statutory compensating authority, received 723 claims for compensation. Of those received, 12 claims remain to be settled, including seven where the claimants have not pursued their claims either following an offer by the county council or where contact has been lost with the claimant.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if claimants for compensation for property damaged or destroyed in the Toxteth disturbances in 1981 which are still awaiting settlement will receive interest when the claims are settled.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinMerseyside county council is responsible under the Riot Damages Act 1886 for settling outstanding compensation claims following the disturbances in Toxteth in 1981. Details of individual
153Wsettlements are confidential to the county and the claimants. However, the 1886 Act does not provide for the payment of interest and when claims are settled there are no other statutes under which it may be paid in respect of riot damages.