§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give for the longest and most convenient stated period of time the annual and cumulative amounts of fines outstanding; what action has been, or is to be taken, to ensure that payment is made; and whether he will consider appointing a fine collecting service paid for on a basis of costs being recovered from the fines as collected.
§ Mr. BrittanThe following table shows the amounts of fines collected by magistrates' courts in England and Wales during each of the financial years for which the information is available and the amounts outstanding—excluding inner London—at the end of each of those financial years:
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 1977–78 71,246,594 22,126,110 The figures for outstanding fines include fines imposed but not yet due for payment.
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.
We have no plans to appoint a separate fine collecting service.