HC Deb 18 January 1999 vol 323 c328W
27. Mr. Healey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the efficiency with which compensatory payments on now-illegal firearms are being made. [64376]

Mr. Boateng

Payments are being made as quickly and efficiently as possible, having regard to the range and complexity of the compensation schemes, and the need for proper scrutiny of claims to ensure propriety and prevent fraud.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current estimate for the completion of option C claims under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997. [65585]

Mr. Boateng

The aim is to make offers of payment on the remaining Option C claims by the end of March.

I outlined the measures we are taking to speed the processing of these compensation claims in my reply to the hon. Member for Tewksbury (Mr. Robertson) on 28 October 1998, official report, columns 179–80.