Firearms Compensation (Hansard, 19 May 1998)

§ Mr. Robathan
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new arrangements will be put in place to speed up compensation payments to pistol owners under the firearms compensation schemes following the recent Steed v. Home Department Appeal Court judgment. [42261]

§ Mr. Michael
There are no new arrangements consequent on this specific case. The arrangements for processing claims made under the compensation schemes are being improved continually in the light of practical experience and our commitment to complete the compensation payments as quickly as possible. It is not simply a matter of staff numbers: this is a complex compensation scheme, mainly to fulfil the promise to be fair to all shooters who have surrendered weapons. New systems had to be developed and staff trained, but, where it is possible, routine tasks are identified which can be undertaken by non-specialist staff. Claims made under Options A and B will be completed shortly, allowing the examining staff to concentrate on the remaining Option C claims. The number of staff with the Firearms Compensation Section has been further increased since Easter and we are also making further use of data processing staff. Staff also regularly work overtime at weekends and on weekday evenings. We are processing the remaining claims as quickly as possible, while having regard to the need for careful checking of individual claims to guard against fraud.

§ Mrs. Ann Winterton
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when claims for compensation, following the surrender of firearms, on(a) A and B options on full bore pistols and revolvers, (b) C options on full bore pistols and revolvers, (c) A and B options on small bore pistols and revolvers; and (d) C options on small bore pistols and revolvers will be settled in full. [42339]

§ Mr. Michael
Claims under Options A and B of the large-calibre compensation scheme and the small-calibre ex gratia scheme should be completed by the end of the month, and those under Option C by the end of the year.
We anticipate that all claims for guns handed in after 1 February 1998 under the small-calibre compensation scheme will have been paid before the end of March 1999.