§ 37. Mr. HoltTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the working of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
§ Mr. John PattenI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Darling) on 20 November 1987 at columns 716–17. Further information is contained in the board's latest annual report (Cm. 265), a copy of which is in the Library.
§ Mr. GroundTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the backlog of cases awaiting resolution by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Government provided £77 million for the criminal injuries compensation scheme in the Estimates for this financial year—an increase of £33 million over previously planned provision—and plans to make available £81 million in 1988–89 and £89 million in 1989–90. This increased provision will finance an increase in the number of compensation payments and has enabled the board to recruit 90 additional staff at its new office in Glasgow who will help to deal with the backlog of claims.