§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much financial compensation was paid in each of the last three years to people freed by courts in England and Wales for wrongful conviction for a criminal offence; and if he will make a statement. [125985]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe total amounts paid in compensation to people who have been wrongly convicted, or charged, for each of the last three financial years are as follows:
Year Million 1997–98 6.652 1998–99 5.302 1999–2000 5.647 In all cases, the Secretary of State decides whether in principle an applicant qualifies for compensation, but the amount of the award is determined by the independent assessor he has appointed.