§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Michael Wellum, of Wrenwell Farm, Denbury, Devon, will receive compensation for the pistols he handed in 1997; and what factors underlie the length of time taken to handle the claim. [39779]
11W
§ Mr. MichaelThe claim was received in the Firearms Compensation Section on 28 August 1997. The Option A and B elements of the claim, and of an accompanying ex gratia application under the voluntary surrender scheme for small-calibre pistols, were processed on 23 January 1998 and payment made. The remaining Option C elements, which will require individual consideration of the evidence of value provided, will be dealt with later in the year. As I have said to the House on many occasions, the number and complexity of these compensation claims, and the need for careful examination to counter fraud and ensure payment at the correct rates, are all factors contributing to the processing time.