§ Mr. David EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people convicted in magistrates' courts in 1988 were ordered to pay compensation, other than for summary motoring offences; what was the average amount of compensation paid; and if he has any plans to raise the maximum amount per offence which may be ordered at a magistrates' court.
§ Mr. John PattenThe information for 1988 is not yet available. Information for 1987 was published in tables 7.24 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 1987", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. There are no plans at present to raise the maximum amount of compensation awarded per offence.