§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board between the receiving of a claim and bringing the matter to settlement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 17 October 1989 at column16.
§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the efficiency and staffing of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
§ Mr. John PattenTo deal with the steep rise in the number of applications the board's complement has been increased from 220 in 1987 to 320 now and a new office has been opened in Glasgow. We are in close touch with the chairman of the board about ways of improving efficiency at the board and tackling the problems of delay and backlog caused by the increased workload.