HC Deb 23 March 1994 vol 240 cc220-1W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were remanded into custody in (a) Great Britain and (b) the west midlands for each quarter for each of the last five years for non-payment of fines imposed for not possessing a television licence.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Lynne Jones, dated 23 March 1994:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many (a) men and (b) women were remanded into custody in (a) Great Britain and (b) the West Midlands for each quarter for each of the last five years for non-payment of fines imposed for not possessing a television licence.

There were none in England and Wales. When a court fine is unpaid the court considers a number of non-custodial options and only then can impose a custodial sentence. Information for Scotland should be obtained from the Secretary of State for Scotland.