asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to amend the current Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme to allow continuing claims to be made by victims whose injuries and disabilities are not apparent until considerable time has elapsed;(2) if he will amend the current Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme to allow spouses to make claims after being attacked by a husband or a wife.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is currently under review by a Home Office working party with a view to establishing it, with whatever modifications may appear necessary, on a statutory basis. We do not intend to anticipate the working party's report.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what official research is being carried out into the needs of the victims of crime.
The Home Office Research Unit has conducted interviews with a small sample of victims to investigate their needs, and their attitudes to and their experience of compensation.