§ Mr. LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how long the waiting list is of applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and what has been the length of the waiting list in each of the past five years;
(2) how many applications are currently before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and what has been the figure over each of the past five years.
§ Mr. John PattenThe number of applications awaiting resolution at 31 October 1989 was 95,294. The number of applications awaiting resolution at the end of each of the last five financial years is given in the table.
107W
Number 1984–85 41,800 1985–86 51,500 1986–87 64,000
Number 1987–88 78,000 1988–89 82,000
§ Mr. LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been decided within 12 months by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the past five years; and whether, in dealing with such cases any distinction is made between cases which are straightforward and cases which are not.
§ Mr. John PattenThe board does not keep information on the number of cases resolved within 12 months of receipt. The board's annual reports record the percentage of cases submitted to a single member of the board within time bands of registration. The percentage of cases dealt with in this way within 12 months of registration is given in the table for each of the last five years.
Each application is dealt with on its own merits. The time taken to resolve a claim will normally depend on the seriousness of the injury, the prognosis and the number and nature of inquiries necessary to assess compensation. Priority is given to claims from the bereaved, the elderly, the young and cases of severe injury.
Percentage of cases submitted to a single member within 12 months of registration Year Per cent. 1984–85 74.5 1985–86 69.6 1986–87 49.8 1987–88 30.8 1988–89 26.9
§ Mr. LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total financial resource allocated to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the past five years; what is the average expenditure on an inquiry; whether he has any plans to increase the funding; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe average cost of resolving a claim at single member stage on the papers is £152, and by oral hearing £537. Total expenditure on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in each of the last five years in given in the table.
Year Expenditure (£ million) 1984–85 39.5 1985–86 45.8 1986–87 52.9 1987–88 58.9 1988–89 77.5 The Government's expenditure plans for future years will be published in the next public expenditure White Paper.