asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the scheme for compensation for victims of crimes of violence, he will direct that hearings he held in large regional cities, including Manchester.

There is provision in the scheme for hearings to be held outside London as necessary. No direction from me is required.

What criteria have been used for the scheme, particularly mentioning—apart from London—Cardiff and Edinburgh? I take it that the scheme will have regard to population areas. What difficulty is there about recognising great regional cities and saying so at this stage so that those who may unfortunately require it will know that a hearing can be reasonably accessible to them?

The White Paper paid due respect to Scotland and Wales, of which Edinburgh and Cardiff are the capitals. It will be for the board to decide from time to time where to hold hearings, whether in Manchester or other great cities. That will depend no doubt on the number of unsatisfied applicants for compensation and where they come from.