§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much compensation has been paid as a result of the ban on the ownership of handguns to date; [52830]
(2) what the staff and overhead costs have been to date of operating the compensation scheme for owners of handguns; and what estimate he has made of the total costs.
§ Mr. MichaelThe estimated total cost of operating the compensation scheme over two years is £3.0 million. The staff costs to date are £1.2 million out of total Firearms Compensation Section capital and running costs expenditure of £2.08 million. £53.8 million has been paid in compensation so far.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he proposes to expedite the payment of Category C claims under the Firearms Compensation Scheme. [52361]
§ Mr. Michael[holding answer 29 July 1998]: The Firearms Compensation Section (FCS) is taking all possible steps to clear the remaining Option C payments under the large calibre handgun surrender scheme and the ex gratia surrender scheme for small-calibre pistols as quickly as possible, having regard to the need to scrutinise claims closely to ensure that payments are made in accordance with the requirements of the compensation scheme and to guard against fraud. A number of measures are being taken to increase the processing rate, while maintaining these safeguards.
Two examining teams have been allocated specifically to dealing with the numerically few but very complex claims from firearms dealers, which present particular problems relating to the evidence of value of the surrendered goods, and consideration is being given to alternative forms of evidence where a dealer is unable to provide the precise evidence of value required by the terms of the scheme. The FCS is working closely with dealers and their representatives to resolve the outstanding issues as quickly as possible.
Arrangements have been made with the Forensic Science Service to identify unfamiliar items included in compensation claims, so that a quick decision can be made on their eligibility for compensation, and we are looking at the scope for flexibility within the scheme to make offers of payment other than through the time-consuming process of independent valuation in suitable cases. We are also streamlining administration where possible to reduce unnecessary work, for example by returning the evidence of value to claimants on request, rather than automatically, and by simplifying the database of values used by FCS as a payment guide by reducing the range and values of guns and equipment recorded.
The staff resources devoted to the operation of the compensation scheme have increased to 56, including 11 Agency staff. Given the expertise required to operate this complex part of the scheme, staff numbers have reached the maximum practical level, and recruitment efforts are aimed at sustaining that level. Staff are working regular weekend overtime in order to complete the task as quickly as possible.
394WBecause of the complexity of dealers' claims and the wide variety of guns and equipment surrendered under Option C, much of it ineligible, progress with the payment of claims has been initially slow since work started full time on these claims at the end of May. The processing rate is expected to increase as the measures outlined above take effect and, although it no longer appears possible to clear all the claims by the end of the year, payment offers should be made on the great majority of claims by that time. We will work continuously to reduce this timescale if at all possible.
The Agency staff who have been registering the claims received under the statutory compensation scheme for small-calibre pistols surrendered in February 1998 have completed their work and will begin the processing of Option A and B claims under this scheme at the beginning of August. This work will continue in parallel with the work on the remaining Option C claims under the large calibre and ex gratia schemes.
§ Mr. David HeathTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for Option C compensation for firearms remain outstanding in the Avon and Somerset Police Authority area. [53430]
§ Mr. MichaelThere are currently 578 claims from the Avon and Somerset Police Force area where payment has not yet been made under Option C of the compensation scheme. The great majority of these have already received a payment under Options A or B. In 22 of these cases, an offer of payment has been made and is awaiting acceptance by the claimant.