HC Deb 12 November 2003 vol 413 c384W
Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the collection of fines imposed by magistrates courts on Merseyside. [137376]

Mr. Leslie

The performance of the Merseyside Magistrates Courts (MCCs) in the collection of fines has not been satisfactory. However, there has been a steady improvement in the performance of the MCC over the last 12 months indicated by an 8 per cent. point increase from 31 per cent. in the corresponding quarter one figure in 2002–03. Merseyside MCC is one of the 12 MCCs that has been selected as needing support in driving up fine enforcement performance, and is now part of a Targeted Interventions Project.