HC Deb 09 July 2002 vol 388 cc838-9W
Mr. Gibb

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of fine-defaulters were in full-time employment since 1990. [65123]

Yvette Cooper

This information is currently not collected centrally but we are examining whether it would be possible by research or sampling to estimate the data requested, as well as new ways to collect information on defendants' means.

Mr. Gibb

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of fine-defaulters in full-time employment had attachment of earnings orders imposed in each year since 1990. [65122]

Yvette Cooper

This information is currently not collected centrally but we are examining whether it would be possible by research or sampling to estimate the data requested. This department has commissioned research into the can't pay/won't pay divide. The outcome of that research will inform future enforcement policy. In addition we are considering new ways to collect information on defendants' means.

Norman Baker

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to ensure tines handed out by magistrates are subsequently collected. [65654]

Yvette Cooper

Fines are imposed by both Magistrates' Courts and the Crown Court, but all are collected by Magistrates' Courts and their staff.

The Government is committed to improving the enforcement of financial penalties. We have transferred lead responsibility for warrant execution from the police to Magistrates' Courts Committees, on 1 April 2001. We have established an information-sharing scheme, which enables Magistrates' Courts to obtain basic information on defaulters from the Department for Work and Pensions. We have set performance targets for 2002–3 and Magistrates' Courts Committees have also been given nearly £10 million extra from April 2002, ring-fenced for enforcement purposes. Further measures are being developed as part of the Criminal Justice White Paper. We will monitor the position carefully to check that performance improves.

Mr. Gibb

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of fine-defaulters had one or more county court judgments against them in each year since 1990. [65121]

Yvette Cooper

The information requested is not kept centrally.