§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims are received annually under the criminal injuries compensation scheme; how many of these claims are successful; and what is the average length of time for processing such claims.
§ Mr. John PattenThe latest annual report of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (Cm. 265), a copy of which is in the Library, shows that in the year 1986–87 the board received 42,301 applications and resolved 29,605 in the main applications made in earlier years, 21,925 by monetary award. The board does not calculate the average length of time taken to deal with applications, but the report shows the percentage of cases resolved within certain periods: half of those resolved in 1986–87 were resolved within a year of application.