§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend the proposed tariff regime for compensation in England to the victims of crime to Northern Ireland; and if he has plans to consult interested organisations in the Province.
§ Sir John WheelerI am currently considering what lessons might be learnt for Northern Ireland from the forthcoming changes to the criminal injuries compensation scheme in Great Britain, details of which were published recently by my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.
If, as a consequence, I consider that changes should be made to the current compensation scheme in Northern Ireland, I am committed to public consultation with interested parties in the Province.