§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the level of personal injury awards in Northern Ireland; and what comparison he has made with costs elsewhere.
§ Sir John WheelerIn Northern Ireland the statutory criminal injuries compensation scheme makes provision for compensation for the victims of violent crime. On 15 December 1993 my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary published a White Paper outlining his proposals for reform of the criminal injuries compensation scheme in Great Britain. I am currently considering what lessons might be learnt from this for Northern Ireland. If, as a result, changes are proposed to the current compensation scheme in Northern Ireland, there will be consultation with all interested parties.
Awards for personal injury at common law are a matter for the courts.