§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average time currently taken by courts to collect and pay compensation awards to those victims who have been awarded them; and what proposals he has to review current procedures. [8881]
§ Mr. StreeterInformation concerning compensation awards is not collected separately. The average time taken by magistrates courts to collect all money due to the court, including fines, fees, costs, compensation awards and contributions to legal aid, at the end of 1995 was 236 days.
My Department chairs an inter-agency working group which was set up May 1995 to identify urgently ways of improving the enforcement of financial penalties including fines, compensation orders and confiscation orders. The group issued good practice guidance on enforcement procedures to the courts in July this year. The group is continuing its work and further guidance will be issued where appropriate.