Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is aware that the period of imprisonment which may be imposed for non-payment of a fine is greater in Northern Ireland than in Great Britain; and whether he has any plans to bring the penalty in Northern Ireland into line with that in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Mason,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th December 1976] gave the following information:
Yes. I hope to make proposals to bring the Northern Ireland law on the maximum penalties for failure to pay fines into line with that in England and Wales during the present Session of Parliament.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrears existed in the payment of fines imposed by magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland at the end of each of the years ending 31st December 1973, 31st December 1974 and 31st December 1975, or of each financial year for 1973–74, 1974–75 and 1975–76 if more convenient; and how many persons were imprisoned during each such period.
§ Mr. Mason,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th December 1976] gave the following information:
Figures for arrears due are not available, but the cumulative total for fines imposed by magistrates' courts in Northern Ireland which were outstanding at the end of each of the following financial years was:
148W
£ 1973–74 .. … 136,685 1974–75 .. … 147,279 1975–76 … … 162,351 The information in respect of the numbers of persons who served terms of imprisonment in default of payment of fines is only available for calendar years. The details are as follows:
1973 … … … 261 1974 … … … 205 1975 … … … 263