§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Attorney-General how many complaints he has received about intimidatory bailiffs' letters; what action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have not received any complaints about intimidatory bailiffs' letters. The Lord Chancellor has received some complaints about private bailiffs employed by local authorities to enforce liability orders for unpaid community charge.
The complaints concerned the intimidatory behaviour of some bailiffs and the lack of information about complaints procedures. These complaints were referred to the appropriate local authority.
Procedures for the execution of warrants by county court bailiffs are standardised. Any forms or notices which 401W bailiffs need to send are produced centrally and are pre-printed. Care is taken to ensure that the wording of these is clear, precise and not intimidatory.