Lord Dunleathasked Her Majesty's Government:
In how many cases has action been taken against the Ministry of Defence, the Northern Ireland Police Authority or the Chief Constable for compensation in respect of damages to (1) property and (2) injury to persons as the result of the firing of a plastic baton round; and in the cases where action has been taken on how many occasions have either the Ministry of Defence, Northern Ireland Police Authority or the Chief Constable paid out compensation; and how many cases have been contested by either the Ministry of Defence, the Northern Ireland Police Authority or the Chief Constable.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Lyell)The information requested is as follows, and covers the period from 1975 to date.
Thirty-seven claims have been made against the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and/or the Chief Constable in respect of damage to property. Twenty-four were settled out of court and compensation was paid. In eight others liability was denied and the actions were successfully defended in court. Of the remainder, one was withdrawn and four are still under consideration by the police authority.
Eighty-eight claims have been made against the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and/or the Chief Constable in respect of personal injuries. Twelve were settled out of court and compensation was paid. Compensation was awarded by the courts in 11 cases where liability was denied and eight actions were successfully defended. Fifty-seven cases are still under consideration by the police authority.
Information in respect of claims against the Ministry of Defence is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.