§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation to stop people from being held in custody or imprisoned for debt in England and Wales.
The Attorney-GeneralFollowing the recommendation of the Payne Committee on the Enforcement of Judgment Debts, imprisonment for civil debt was abolished by the Administration of Justice Act 1970, except for maintenance payments and debts due to the Crown. My noble Friend has no proposals for legislation to change this situation.
These provisions do not apply to rates, which are not a debt but a statutory liability.