§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what circumstances prevent a person who has a criminal record from receiving compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and Board; and to what extent this is affected by whether they had a criminal record at the time they became a victim of crime. [144428]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeParagraph 13(e) of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme empowers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) to withhold or reduce an award where the applicant's character, as shown by his criminal convictions (excluding convictions spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) or other evidence, makes it inappropriate that a full award or any award should be made. The guide to the scheme includes an illustrative table indicating how awards are likely to be reduced by a certain percentage depending on the nature or length of the sentence imposed for criminal activity and how long ago the offence or offences were committed. A copy of the guide is supplied to all applicants.