§ Sir Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct magistrates that the new maximum limits for fines that can be imposed by magistrates' courts shall only apply to offences taking place after the announcement of the new limits.
§ Mr. MellorSection 143 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, under which my right hon. and learned Friend proposes to make an order increasing maximum summary fines, expressly provides that such an order cannot affect the punishment for an offence committed before the date on which it comes into force. The circular he has issued to the courts explaining the changes draws their attention to this point.