§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the latest and most convenient date, the total amount of unpaid fines outstanding; for how much of these fines the time period for payment has expired; how these figures compare on an annual basis for the 731W longest period of time; and what action he has taken or intends taking to enforce payment.
§ Mr. JohnThe table below shows the amounts of fines collected by magistrates' courts in England and Wales during each of the last six financial years and the amounts outstanding—excluding Inner London—at the end of each financial year:
Fines Collected Fines Outstanding £ £ 1970–71 18,095,966 6,381,604 1971–72 21,338,865 6,946,074 1972–73 25,529,658 7,871,879 1973–74 32,045,242 10,436,914 1974–75 35,570,348 12,800,148 1975–76 45,885,990 17,818,896 1976–77 59,022,051 20,581,337 The figures for outstanding fines include fines imposed but not yet due for payment; figures for fines outstanding where the period of payment has expired are not available.
The enforcement of fines is a matter for the courts concerned. They have several methods open to them, including the threat of imprisonment and distress upon goods.