§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the average times for processing criminal injuries compensation claims. [12515]
§ Mr. MichaelClaims under the criminal injuries compensation scheme vary greatly in their complexity. The straightforward ones may be determined in a matter of weeks, but those in which there are evidential difficulties or where the medical diagnosis or prognosis is uncertain may take several years to bring to a conclusion. Some will also be subject to an appeal. There is accordingly no meaningful average time for processing all cases. However, the victims charter sets a standard of 12 months from receipt of a claim to the issue of a first decision. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority advises that, under the new tariff-based scheme, that standard has been met in 90 per cent. of claims received on or after 1 April 1996.