§ 23. Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State For the Home Department what steps he is taking to review the workings of the unit fine system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackWe have been keeping the operation of the unit fine system under close review since it came into operation on 1 October 1992. We have also received representations about it, most recently from the Magistrates Association of England and Wales. Following its meeting with us on 4 May, the association has issued a bulletin to its members encouraging magistrates to make full use of the discretion already available to them under the system, in setting fine levels. But we have recognised that it will also be necessary to make some changes by way of legislation in areas such as the mechanism for determining unit values, in order to ensure that the scheme operates fairly and in accordance with the original intention. These changes will be introduced as soon as possible.