§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current situation concerning the widow of a common law husband with reference to entitlement to claims for a criminal injury and damage.
§ Mr. John PattenUnder the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 courts in England and Wales may award damages for financial dependency and funeral expenses to a common law widow who had lived with the man continuously for at least the last two years before his death. Awards under the criminal injuries compensation scheme are confined in such cases to funeral expenses. There is no general entitlement to compensation for damage, although the courts have power to order an offender upon conviction to pay compensation for damage he has caused.