§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultation he is undertaking with regard to possible changes in the criminal injuries compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received regarding the criminal injuries compensation scheme this year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Government announced last November their intention to replace the present criminal injuries compensation scheme with a tariff scheme in 1994. The aim is to offer a better, more straightforward service to claimants. Details of the new scheme will be set out in a White Paper later this year.
No formal consultation exercise is being undertaken, but as my hon. Friend the Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) explained to the House on 18 March, column 508, we will listen carefully to what people have to say about our proposals. We have already received helpful comments from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the national charity, Victim Support.
We receive a steady stream of correspondence from hon. Members and members of the public about various aspects of the current scheme.