§ Mr. C. Wilsonasked the Home Secretary, in view of the fact that of the 750,000 persons proceeded against 57 per cent. were motorists, whether he can state the total amount of the fines inflicted; what proportion of these fines were retained for local use and what proportion was handed over to the Exchequer; and what amounts are contributed by the State to the expenses to which the local authority is put in dealing with these cases?
§ Mr. LloydThe criminal statistics for 1935 show that of the total number of persons found guilty in that year of offences of all kinds 57 per cent. were found guilty of traffic offences, but not all traffic offences are committed by motorists. The figures include, for instance, offences by pedal cyclists. The total number of persons convicted of offences relating to motor vehicles was 311,178, or approximately 41 per cent. The fines imposed on these persons amounted to approximately £380,000. These fines are payable to the Exchequer, less the statutory court fees amounting approximately to £60,000, which are retained for local funds. There is no Exchequer contribution towards the expenses of the Courts of Summary Jurisdiction (except for the payment of the salaries of the Metropolitan police magistrates), but the Exchequer bears half the cost of the police expenditure involved in presenting the cases.