HC Deb 26 February 2002 vol 380 cc1189-90W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether targets are set in respect of the time taken to execute warrants on individuals who have not complied with criminal court orders; and if he will make a statement. [37675]

Mr. Wills

Lead responsibility of the execution of financial warrants and community breach warrants was transferred from the police to the magistrates courts committees on 1 April 2001. No targets were set for execution of these warrants during the first year of operation to enable baseline data to be collected. I will shortly be announcing targets for execution of both financial and non-financial warrants for 2002–03.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what procedures exist for dealing with the execution of a warrant in respect of an individual who has breached a community court order if that individual is deemed to be a high risk to the public; and if he will make a statement. [37677]

Mr. Wills

Warrants issued in respect of an individual who has breached a community penalty order may be executed by civilian enforcement officers employed by magistrates courts committees, by staff of approved enforcement agencies working under contract to magistrates courts committees or by the police. The National Framework Agreement agreed between the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Home Office, sets out the arrangements for execution of warrants in respect of individuals who have breached a community court order. Where there is a risk of violence or disorder, the person executing the warrant may request police assistance. If the probation service or youth offending team identifies an individual as high risk to the public they would normally ask the police or the enforcement officer or agency to give execution of the warrant a high priority.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether magistrates courts committees can execute warrants in respect of non-compliance of criminal court order if the individual concerned moves to Scotland. [37676]

Mr. Wills

Where an offender has moved to Scotland, the execution of warrants in respect of non-compliance with a criminal court order is the responsibility of the police in Scotland.