§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many claims from(a) UK and (b) non-UK citizens for compensation are outstanding against his Department because of accidents; how many claims have been outstanding for more than (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three years; and if he will make a statement; [155795]
(2) how many outstanding claims for compensation his Department is dealing with relating to service personnel who received injuries at the time of duty; how many have been outstanding for more than (a) one, (b) two and (c) three years; and if he will make a statement; [155796]
(3) how many outstanding claims for compensation his Department has from civilian employees for work-related accidents; how many are more than (a) one year and (b) two years old; and if he will make a statement. [155797]
§ Dr. MoonieThe number of claims for compensation outstanding against the Ministry of Defence from UK and non-UK citizens as a result of injury caused by accidents as at 23 March 2001 is as follows:
550W
Outstanding UK citizens Non-UK citizens Total 284 51 Less than one year 148 38 More than one year 75 9 More than two years 31 2 More than three years 30 2 These figures relate to public liability claims against the Ministry of Defence and therefore exclude claims from service personnel and civilian employees.
The number of claims for compensation outstanding against the Ministry of Defence from service personnel who received injuries in service was 1,596 at 23 March 2001. Of these 652 have been outstanding for less than one year, 413 for more than one year, 214 for more than two years and 317 for more than three years.
The number of claims for compensation outstanding against the Ministry of Defence from civilian employees who received injuries as the result of work-related accidents is as follows:
Outstanding Civilian employees Total 833 Less than one year 204 More than one year 386 More than two years 243 When compensation claims are submitted, they are considered on the basis of whether or not the Ministry of Defence has a legal liability to pay compensation. Where there is a legal liability to pay compensation we do so. The time taken to settle a claim is dependent on a number of factors including the complexity of the case as it relates to determining liability and the nature of the injury, which can range from simple bruises or fractures, for example, to catastrophic injuries where the long-term medical prognosis cannot be assessed for some considerable time.
In line with all other defendants, the Ministry of Defence is bound by the Civil Procedure Rules introduced on 26 April 1999, which specify time scales for the handling of claims. The courts have the power to impose financial sanctions against defendants for non-compliance with the rules. No such sanctions have been imposed against the Ministry of Defence.