HL Deb 12 November 2003 vol 654 cc1399-401

Fines collection regulations

43 In this Schedule "fines collection regulations" means regulations made by the Lord Chancellor for the purpose of giving effect to this Schedule.

44(1) Fines collection regulations may, for the purpose of giving effect to this Schedule and section (Collection of fines and discharge of fines by unpaid work) so far as it relates to this Schedule, make provision modifying (or applying with modifications) any enactment which relates to fines or the enforcement of payment of sums falling within paragraph 1(1).

(2)The enactments which may be so modified (or applied with modifications) include enactments containing offences.

(3)Fines collection regulations may make different provision for different cases.

45 Fines collection regulations may, for the purpose of giving effect to the powers to make attachment of earnings orders, make provision as to the method for calculating the amounts which are to be deducted from P's earnings.

46(1) Fines collection regulations may, for the purpose of giving effect to the powers to make clamping orders and to order the sale of clamped motor vehicles, make provision in connection with—

  1. (a)the fitting of immobilisation devices;
  2. (b)the fitting of immobilisation notices to motor vehicles to which immobilisation devices have been fitted;
  3. (c)the removal and storage of motor vehicles;
  4. (d)the release of motor vehicles from immobilisation devices or from storage (including the conditions to be met before the vehicle is released);
  5. (e)the sale or other disposal of motor vehicles not released.

(2) Fines collection regulations must provide that an immobilisation device may not be fitted to a vehicle—

  1. (a)which displays a current disabled person's badge, or
  2. (b)in relation to which there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is used for the carriage of a disabled person.

(3)In this Schedule— disabled person's badge" means a badge issued, or having effect as if issued, under regulations made under section 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (c. 44) (badges for display on motor vehicles used by disabled persons); immobilisation device" has the same meaning as in section 104(9) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27) (immobilisation of vehicles illegally parked); motor vehicle" means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads, except that section 189 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52) (exceptions for certain vehicles) applies for the purposes of this Schedule as it applies for the purposes of the Road Traffic Acts.

47 Fines collection regulations may make provision relating to cases where a person who is subject to a collection order changes his place of residence.

Offences of providing false information, failing to disclose information etc.

48(1) P commits an offence if, in providing a statement of his financial circumstances to a fines officer in response to a relevant request, he—

  1. (a)makes a statement which he knows to be false in a material particular,
  2. (b)recklessly provides a statement which is false in a material particular, or
  3. (c)knowingly fails to disclose any material fact.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(3) P commits an offence if he fails to provide a statement of his financial circumstances to a fines officer in response to a relevant request.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

(5) A relevant request is a request for information about P's financial circumstances which—

  1. (a)is made by a fines officer, and
  2. (b)is expressed to be made for the purpose of determining whether or how the fines officer should vary the payment terms (or the reserve terms) of a collection order in P's favour.

(6)Proceedings in respect of an offence under this paragraph may be commenced at any time within—

  1. (a) 2 years from the date of the commission of the offence, or
  2. (b) 6 months from its first discovery by the prosecutor,

Offence of meddling with vehicle clamp

49(1) A person commits an offence if he removes or attempts to remove—

  1. (a)an immobilisation device, or
  2. (b)an immobilisation notice,

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Meaning of "standard powers in respect of persons liable to pay fines "

50 In this Schedule "standard powers in respect of persons liable to pay fines" means any power—

  1. (a) that a magistrates' court would have had if P had not been subject to a collection order but had been liable to pay the sum due, and
  2. (b) which fines collection regulations apply (with or without modifications) for the purposes of this Schedule.

Meaning of references to pending appeals

51 For the purposes of this Schedule the period during which an appeal under this Schedule is pending is to be treated as including the period within which the appeal may be brought (regardless of whether it is in fact brought).

Meaning of "10 working days "

52 In this Schedule "10 working days" means any period of 10 days not including—

  1. (a)Saturday or Sunday,
  2. (b)Christmas Day or Good Friday, or
  3. (c)any day which is a bank holiday in England and Wales under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (c. 80).

Meaning of "the magistrates' court"

53 In this Schedule "the magistrates' court", in relation to a collection order, means any magistrates' court acting in the local justice area in which the court which made the order was sitting."

Lord Filkin

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 20 to 23.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 20 to 23.—(Lord Filkin.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

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