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Criminal Injuries (Compensation)

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were awaiting an award decision at the end of each quarter; what was the average time it took to process an award; how many people were awaiting an appeal decision on their award at the end of each quarter; and what was the average time it took to process an appeal for an award from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for each quarter from the start of 1998–99 to quarter 2 of 2001–02, broken down by those (a) over and (b) under 60. [10997]

Mr. Keith Bradley: Data are available only in respect of cases lodged under the tariff scheme, which was introduced with effect from 1 April 1996. Information about residual cases lodged under the common law damages scheme in force before that date is not collated centrally.

The data in the tables have been provided by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The following additional information may be helpful in interpreting that data.

Claimants dissatisfied with the first decision of CICA (claims assessment) can formally seek a review of that decision by a more senior member of the authority (review). Claimants dissatisfied with the reviewed decision can make a formal appeal to the independent appellate body, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel (appeal).

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The data in table 1 show the number of claimants awaiting a decision at each of the three stages. Table 2 shows the average time taken from receipt of the application to claims assessment. Table 3 shows the time taken to process an application for review, and table 4 the time taken to process an appeal application.

Table 1: Cases awaiting an award decision

	Claims assessment	Review	Appeal	Total
1998–99
Quarter 1	53,473	11,758	2,739	67,970
Quarter 2	53,482	12,047	3,418	68,947
Quarter 3	52,232	10,976	4,153	67,361
Quarter 4	53,011	10,888	5,438	69,337
1999–2000
Quarter 1	51,059	11,201	5,535	67,795
Quarter 2	54,566	11,421	6,701	72,688
Quarter 3	53,093	10,945	6,983	71,021
Quarter 4	55,574	11,018	7,497	74,089
2000–01
Quarter 1	56,766	11,120	7,801	75,687
Quarter 2	58,386	12,272	7,814	78,472
Quarter 3	58,352	13,211	7,074	78,637
Quarter 4	60,104	13,011	6,518	79,633
2001–02
Quarter 1	61,224	13,790	6,061	81,075
Quarter 2	61,825	13,949	5,194	80,968

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Table 2: Average time elapsed between application and decision—claims assessment stage

Decision issued	Total number of decisions	Average time (days)	Number of decisions for applicants 60 years and older	Average time (days)
1998–99
April-June	19,400	233	797	196
July-September	17,451	238	813	204
October-December	18,973	234	811	206
January-March	22,044	239	1,050	214
1999–2000
April-June	17,644	233	842	194
July-September	17,644	216	890	184
October-December	18,910	200	959	173
January-March	18,576	218	986	190
2000–01
April-June	16,698	234	899	195
July-September	16,487	240	896	208
October-December	18,068	239	883	222
January-March	17,557	265	887	233
2001–02
April-June	17,239	263	892	226
July-September	18,188	270	904	230

Table 3: Time taken to process a review application

	Total number of decisions	Average time taken (days)	Number of decisions for applicants 60 years and older	Average time taken (days)
1998–99
April-June	3,914	180	157	148
July-September	4,536	184	170	155
October-December	5,482	195	237	165
January-March	5,787	192	216	158
1999–2000
April-June	4,648	193	192	162
July-September	4,622	189	188	147
October-December	5,388	186	280	145
January-March	5,359	180	247	130
2000–01
April-June	4,259	214	170	155
July-September	3,187	228	163	186
October-December	3,426	256	186	185
January-March	4,644	249	177	181
2001–02
April-June	3,528	262	159	209
July-September	3,751	254	177	206

Table 4: Time taken to process appeals

	Total number of cases resolved	Average time taken (days)	Number of decisions for applicants 60 years and older	Average time taken (days)
1998–99
April-June	423	188	19	190
July-September	569	215	24	204
October-December	608	241	20	256
January-March	673	274	42	265
1999–2000
April-June	914	276	50	280
July-September	1,002	303	40	294
October-December	1,065	325	46	328
January-March	1,099	351	42	342
2000–01
April-June	863	390	30	388
July-September	1,080	416	58	399
October-December	1,369	387	74	364
January-March	1,517	421	79	386
2001–02
April-June	1,323	418	66	391
July-September	1,438	392	82	391

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Yarls Wood Immigration Detention Centre

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people are employed at Yarls Wood immigration detention centre, broken down by (a) contractors employed by outside firms, (b) his Department's officials and (c) those in other categories; [10184]

(2) what is the expected date for the opening of the Yarls Wood immigration detention centre; [10183]

(3) what is the cost of the construction of Yarls Wood immigration detention centre. [10182]

Angela Eagle: The new immigration detention centre at Yarls Wood is expected to open by 19 November 2001.

At this moment in time the following numbers are employed within the centre:

(a) Contractor's Personnel (including sub-contractors): 730

(b) Home Office Personnel: 23

(c) Other Categories: 14.

The cost of the construction of the detention centre cannot be disclosed on the ground of commercial confidentiality.

Immigration Snatch Squads

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received about the proposed operation of immigration snatch squads; what assessment he has made of the consequences for public order; and if he will make a statement. [10150]

Angela Eagle: We do not have any plans to introduce snatch squads.

The immigration service has run a highly successful pilot scheme to conduct visits and arrests without the assistance of the police. In the pilot year, 413 visits were conducted and no complaints were received. Three arrest

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teams have been established in the metropolitan area. By the end of March 2002, each immigration service region should have an arrest team. A full risk assessment is conducted in conjunction with the police before any visit takes place.

Islamic Fundamentalists

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from France concerning the activities of Islamic fundamentalist extremists in the United Kingdom with particular reference to individuals and groups with Algerian connections; and if he will make a reference. [10085]

Angela Eagle: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has received representations from France in relation to two Algerian individuals suspected of involvement with the GIA (Armed Islamic Group) organisation. The French Government are seeking the extradition of both men. Solicitors for one of the suspects have given notice of their intention to apply for judicial review. A committal hearing is pending for the second suspect.

As the Home Secretary said in his statement on 15 October, a review of extradition procedure has already been undertaken and we intend to bring forward measures to modernise and place our extradition laws within the context of the new international situation, streamlining while retaining rights of appeal.

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