Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Mark Pritchard (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 9 May 2006 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Unpaid Fines

Question: Is it not the case that too many fines remain uncollected? Do we not have a system where fines remain unpaid, custodial service orders remain unfulfilled, and prisoners are released early? How is this sending out a message of punishment?

Answer: I agree with the hon. Gentleman that too many fines, compensation orders and court costs remain unpaid. We started collecting the figures in 2003—they were not collected previously. At that point we discovered that the unpaid fines rate was 55 per cent., so just over half of those payments were being collected. We have increased the level of payments to 83 per cent., but there is still a long way to go. On top of the additional measures that are set out in the Courts Act 2003, we are setting up the national enforcement service, which will keep an eye on these matters. I have no doubt that the hon. Gentleman will see continued improvement in his constituency.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 446 c164-5
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Cars Attachment of earnings Immobilisation of vehicles Enforcement Standards Unpaid fines
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk