Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what compensation is available from the public purse for victims of terrorism from (a) the Northern Ireland conflict and (b) other terrorist incidents; and what the maximum allowable pay-out is for each such case.

The Government is committed to ensuring that victims of historical as well as recent terrorist attacks receive the help and support they need.

Victims who are injured in terrorist attacks which take place in Great Britain may be eligible to apply for compensation under the Government funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (the Scheme) which is administered independently of Ministers and Parliament by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

Injury payments range from £1,000 to £250,000 depending on the severity of the injury. Additional payments for loss of earnings or other expenses can also be made. The total payment under an application is capped at £500,000. In fatal cases, payments can be made to qualifying relatives of the deceased and to pay for funeral expenses.

A similar scheme is administered by the Department of Justice for Northern Ireland, to which victims injured in terrorist attacks in Northern Ireland may apply.

Additionally, UK residents injured in terrorist attacks abroad may be entitled to claim compensation under the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme, which is also administered by CICA. Awards under this scheme also range from £1,000 to £500,000.

Further, the British Red Cross administers a UK Government funded discretionary relief fund to which UK victims of terrorist incidents overseas can apply to provide immediate financial support.