HC Deb 15 February 1978 vol 944 c230W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, the annual or quarterly amounts of fines outstanding for payment; how each period compares with each of the previous 10 years; how much of the present amounts outstanding is for periods when time for payment has expired; and what action he has taken or intends taking to ensure the payment of these fines.

Mr. John

The 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. Figures for earlier years are not available.

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.