§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been claimed under the Firearms Compensation Scheme; and how much has been paid out to date. [59213]
§ Mr. BoatengAt 6 November 1998, payments totalling £61 million had been made to 49,300 claimants under the compensation schemes for large and small-calibre handguns. The value of the remaining claims cannot be determined until they have been examined in detail. I outlined the measures we are taking to speed the processing of these compensation claims in my reply to a written question from the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 28 October 1998,Official Report, columns 179-80.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Mr. J. P. Cooch of Newton Preston will receive his final payment for the confiscation of his handgun in August 1997 following his letter of 1 November. [59266]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Option A and B elements of the claim were paid on 16 January 1998. The Option C element of the claim, which will require individual consideration of the evidence of value provided, will be dealt with as soon as possible. I outlined the measures that we are taking to speed the processing of these compensation claims in my reply to a question from the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 28 October 1998,Official Report, columns 179-80.