§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what moves he intends taking with EEC Governments to ensure that those British subjects who are victims of crime within the EEC are able to claim compensation equivalent to the criminal injuries compensation paid to EEC nationals who are victims of crime in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. John PattenWhen we ratify the Council of Europe convention on the compensation of victims of violent crime, British citizens who suffer criminal injuries (or their dependants if they are killed) in countries party to the convention will be able to obtain compensation in those countries. We have to examine some of the detailed requirements of the convention before we ratify it.
449WOnce we have ratified, we shall take every opportunity to encourage other countries (including the European Community countries) to do likewise.