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Small Claims (Courts)

: I think that we have had a useful debate about enforcement here. Also, there was a lot of good debate throughout the Select Committee's inquiries on enforcement. I cannot offer to suggest to the business managers that we have another debate about enforcement. We know what the parameters are; what we need is to find parliamentary time actually to do something about enforcement. Importantly, the Select Committee highlighted for debate the limits for payments in personal injury and housing disrepair cases, and it has ignited more discussion and consideration of the subject. The matter is not just about getting compensation for an individual who suffers a personal injury as a result of a negligent act or omission; it is also about having a deterrent, to make sure that there is accountability among people, including employers or local authorities. If there is accountability, it is a deterrent to people acting negligently in a way that results in others being injured. We should understand the public interest side of effective personal injury claims, as well as the point of view of the individual who needs compensation. As hon. Members have said, the small claims limit of £1,000 for personal injury cases, established in 1991, was last reviewed in 1999, when it was decided that that limit should remain. We are currently reviewing all the case track limits, and we are considering the Select Committee's recommendations in the context of that work, which is being informed by information and representations from a range of sources. The Select Committee's report has generated a large number of further representations from interested individuals and organisations. As we heard from my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East, the debate is still going on, even within the Select Committee. He said that at first he agreed with the limit, but he has since received so many further representations that he has changed his mind. That is an ongoing debate. As today's debate demonstrates, there are strong views against, as well as for, an increase in the limit for personal injury claims.