§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing for each relevant category(a) existing fees for civil business in magistrates courts and (b) proposed fees for 1991–92.
§ Mr. John PattenThe fees to be taken by clerks to justices in respect of civil business are as prescribed in schedule 6 to the Magistrates Courts Act 1980. The fees have not been increased for 60 years. Last year the Home Office consulted the magistrates courts service about new fee levels which would reflect the costs of providing the services concerned, but no decisions about uprating have yet been taken. We shall bring forward proposals shortly.