§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representation he has received regarding proposed powers to transfer fines from young offenders to their parents or guardians; and what decision he has reached on the proposals.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe only representation I have received has been from the Howard League for Penal Reform which has suggested that the fine enforcement provisions in Section 36 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 should not be brought into force in their present form. These provisions implemented proposals in the White Paper on the Children and Young Persons Act 1969—Cmnd. 6494—and where a response to recommendation 6 of the Eleventh Report of the Expenditure Committee that there should be a sanction for the non-payment of fines by juvenile offenders. I propose to bring them into force this Summer.