§ 33. Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now take steps to remove the possibility of imprisonment for persons defaulting on fines for drunkenness offences.
§ Mr. BrittanWe are anxious to do what is possible to divert drunks from the criminal justice system and, as the hon. Member is aware, we are initiating experiments with overnight shelters to this end. When, however, a drunk's behaviour or other factors make it necessary for the police to arrest and charge him, it is for the court, within its available powers, to decide how to deal with him; if a fine is imposed, we at present see no realistic alternative to imprisonment as the ultimate sanction for default in payment.