§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies have been carried out into the feasibility of a no-fault compensation scheme to replace the present law of negligence in cases of medical accidents in Scotland; and what information he has as to in which other countries such a scheme is operating.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThere have been no studies relating only to Scotland. The British Medical Association recently submitted the report of a working party on no fault compensation to the Department of Health and Social Security and Scottish Home and Health Department. The introduction of no-fault compensation was examined by the Royal Commission on civil liability and personal injury which reported in 1978. The commission considered that there would be serious difficulties in designing and administering such a scheme and concluded that it should not be introduced. The Government accept that view.
No-fault compensation schemes operate in New Zealand and Sweden.