§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of cases awaiting settlement under the criminal injuries compensation scheme as at 31 March 1988, 31 March 1989 and 31 March 1990 or the latest available date identifying the numbers of prisoners and police staff included in those totals; and if he will provide a similar analysis for cases awaiting settlement under the scheme involving residents of the Northern region.
§ Mr. John Patten[holding answer 2 May 1990]: The published figures for cases awaiting settlement under the scheme are 78,000 on 31 March 1988 and 82,000 on 31 March 1989. These figures reflect the difference between he board's cumulative record since 1964 of the number of cases received and settled. On that basis over 100,000 cases would now be outstanding whereas a physical count of cases showed that on 31 March 1990, the number outstanding was about 87,000. I am pleased to be assured by the board that this lower figure accurately reflects the caseload on that date.
The board does not record numbers of applications received from separate categories of applicant, or on a regional basis.