Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kevin Hollinrake and Phillip Lee

Tuesday 24th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)]

One of my constituents is fighting for justice, having suffered horrific physical and sexual abuse at Medomsley youth detention centre in the 1970s. Will my hon. Friend please update the House on the likely timescales for compensation and further convictions?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Dr Phillip Lee)]

I thank my hon. Friend for the question. The case that he refers to is a tragedy, and I am aware of it. We are in the middle of the independent inquiry into child sex abuse, and the interim report is out this week. Officials from my Department are fully engaged with that, and we are conscious that in some institutions that the Department is responsible for allegations have been made that child abuse has taken place in the past. Once we have a handle on that totally, we can start talking about the possibility of compensation.