§ 24. Mr. Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the enforcement of fines. [85588]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Government are committed to the better enforcement of financial penalties imposed by the courts. The Access to Justice Bill, currently before this House, contains provisions which will give civilian enforcement officers and approved enforcement agencies employed by the courts wider and clearer powers to execute warrants issued against fine defaulters and those who have breached community penalties. This will enable responsibility for such work to be transferred from the police to the magistrates' courts, allowing the police to concentrate on fighting crime.
Also, the Government's Crime Reduction Programme includes a project which will fund work to extend successful fine enforcement techniques and encourage courts to make greater use of fines.
The courts will be expected to give a high priority to the prompt and efficient enforcement of the penalties they impose. As a result, more money—including compensation for the victims of crime—will be collected.