§ Sir Hector MonroTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he has made for those who may be entitled to make a criminal injuries compensation claim following the Dunblane incident. [23570]
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThis is a matter for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. The board has already responded to a number of direct inquiries and has made arrangements with Victim Support (Scotland) and others for advice to be available locally.
I understand from the board that advice is given on request on the differences between compensation under the present scheme and under the new scheme, which will replace the present scheme on 1 April for all applications received on or after that date. This advice is available from the board to any potential applicant and their representative who might seek assistance in determining whether application in respect of injuries caused before 1 April should be made under the present or under the new scheme.
More generally, I also understand that the board has made arrangements to enable applications to be received up until midnight on 31 March.