§ Mr. BaileyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he received on the level of Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority awards; and if he will make a statement. [146764]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeIn 1999 we mounted a public consultation exercise seeking views on ways in which the tariff-based criminal injuries compensation scheme might be improved for the benefit of victims of violent crime. Thirty-three respondents made some comment about the level of awards, either generally or in the context of awards for particular offences or injuries. Since the public consultation exercise we have had correspondence from 33 Members of Parliament about levels of awards, mostly related to individual cases.
We hope to be in a position to announce soon what improvements we shall be inviting the Westminster Parliament and the Scottish Executive to make to the scheme in the light of the consultation exercise and subsequent developments.