§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total amount of unpaid fines imposed by magistrates courts was on 31 March. [120922]
§ Mr. LeslieI have been asked to reply.
Magistrates' Courts Committees (MCCs) have a responsibility for the collection of a range of debts imposed by the magistrates courts and the crown court. Debt collected includes not only fines but also fees, compensation, confiscation orders, legal aid contributions and some maintenance orders. It is not at present possible to separate fines from the total. The England and Wales closing arrears total at 31 March 2003 was £276,870,306.