Written question asked by Lord Bannside (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 15 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 June 2006. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 June 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Terrorist Attacks

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost of compensation paid to (a) industrial, (b) commercial and (c) residential premises as a result of terrorist attacks by (i) Republican paramilitary groups and (ii) Loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland was in each of the last 30 years.

Answer: The Compensation Agency cannot provide information about the cost of compensation stemming specifically from terrorist attacks as there is often no way of ascertaining the motives of an individual or group who have damaged property unless a prosecution follows. Additionally where the perpetrator is unknown, or where no prosecution has taken place, the agency could only speculate about potential motive. Therefore any figures provided would be very unreliable.

Secondary information