HL Deb 06 June 1962 vol 241 cc597-8

2.9 p.m.

LORD SWAYTHLING

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that the current maximum fines prescribed in the Statutes creating criminal offences are in all cases adequate, having regard to the fall in the value of money since they were enacted: and, if not, what steps are proposed to be taken to bring them into line with modern requirements.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (EARL BATHURST)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government agree that there is a case for the revision of some fines in the light of present-day monetary values. A comprehensive review, covering several hundreds of small statutory fines, has been in progress for some time, and is being carried forward as rapidly as its nature and other commitments permit. It involves the examination of a large number of Statutes and a consideration of penalties for a wide variety of offences. In the pre-1914 Statutes alone there are nearly 600 fines scattered through 150 Statutes. Her Majesty's Government hope that when this review, on which substantial progress has been made, has been completed, an opportunity can be found for legislation.

LORD SWAYTHLING

My Lords, while I thank the noble Earl for his reply, may I remind him that when I asked your Lordships to give a Second Reading to the Fines Bill in March, 1960, he, replying on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, said what he has said to-day: that they were reviewing all these fines according to modern circumstances, and he then said he thought it was a considerable task? He went on to ask us to show a little patience. He stated that he thought the review would take into account the difficulties and anomalies which the Fines Bill was designed to deal with. Therefore, after this lapse of time, can he give us more definite information about when he expects something concrete to be done, more especially for those offences which come most often before petty sessional courts?

EARL BATHURST

My Lords, I regret that I must ask if the noble Lord would show a little more patience. I assure him that there is no short cut and I am certain that the noble Lord, and other noble Lords who are experts in this matter, will appreciate that fact. I ask the noble Lord to show a little more patience—I certainly appreciate all he has said in the Question he has asked.