§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures exist for those falsely accused of rape to pursue compensation. [36421]
§ Mr. MichaelThe Government are prepared under certain specified circumstances to pay compensation to those who have been wrongfully convicted of or charged with rape, or any other crime. There is no automatic entitlement to such compensation, but all applications are considered, first under the provisions of section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and then, if those requirements are not met, under the ex-gratia arrangements announced by the then Home Secretary in his statement on 29 November 1985,Official Report, columns 689–90. My right hon. Friend announced on 17 June 1997, Official Report, column 99, that he would continue to be bound by those arrangements. In addition. In addition, persons who have grounds for an action for unlawful arrest or malicious prosecution have a remedy in the civil courts against the person or authority responsible.