§ Sir Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the amount of fines imposed by the courts in each of the last 10 years which remain unpaid, expressing this in real terms; and what steps he proposes to ensure that fines are paid.
§ Mr. MellorThe total amount of fines outstanding for payment for England and Wales, but excluding inner London, at the end of each March for the past 10 years rounded to the nearest £1,000 was as follows:
March Cash Cost terms equivalent* £000s £000s 1974 10,437 36,227 1975 12,800 37,264 1976 17,819 41,267 1977 20,581 42,123 1978 22,126 39,809 1979 29,405 47,898 1980 30,877 43,047 1981 35,435 41,619 1982 38,421 41,052 1983 44,023 44,023 * To arrive at these figures the actual amounts outstanding (cash) have been adjusted by the deflator for gross domestic product at market prices, taking 1982–83 as the base year, to produce a cost terms equivalent. Cost term figures show the fines outstanding over the 10-year period adjusted for the effect of general inflation as measured by the GDP deflator for each of the Years shown. An unknown proportion of these sums consists of fines in respect of which the time allowed for payment had not expired. Various powers are available to magistrates' courts for enforcing payment of fines. A circular has recently been sent to courts containing advice which will encourage the successful use of those powers. We are also examining what further measures might be desirable to assist in enforcement.