§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps his Department is taking to improve collection rates of fines. [174010]
§ Mr. LeslieDriving up performance in the collection of fines is a key priority in increasing confidence in the Criminal Justice System. That is why I announced last June my action plan to deliver significant improvements. A wide range of initiatives have been delivered or are planned. These include
The piloting of new enforcement tools and measures included in the Courts Act 2003the introduction earlier this year of a policy of no longer writing off fines;the introduction from April 2004 of a new incentives package for enforcement teams;direct support for poorer performing magistrates courts committees (MCCs) through targeted intervention;Operation Payback", a national blitz on outstanding warrants which raised £630,000 during the week commencing 22 March and will be repeated later in the year; andimproving the information available to MCCs when offenders are difficult to trace.
§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will set targets for percentage collection rates of fines imposed by the courts for(a) the current year and (b) each of the next two years. [174011]
§ Mr. LeslieAs a result of the progress made in 2003–04, with the payment rate in the final quarter at 76 per cent. against the target of 75 per cent., I have set1140W a new national payment rate target for 2004–05 at 78 per cent. This will sustain the performance improvement achieved to date and build on it.
Performance during 2004–05 will inform decisions to be taken on targets for future years.