Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Christopher (Labour). It was answered on Wednesday, 15 July 2009.

Samantha Orobator

Question: My Lords, can the Minister give us some information about the fine? What sort of sum are we talking about? Are the Government prepared to see it paid even though they perhaps cannot pay it themselves?

Answer: My Lords, it is a fine of $70,000. She was carrying a large amount of drugs on her at the time of her arrest. As the noble Lord, Lord Ramsbotham, said, she has not appealed the conviction. The fine is part of her sentence. The whole House would agree that it is difficult for Her Majesty’s Government to pay that fine directly. There are those who see it as an act of clemency or support to her that they find some way to offer partial payment. We would certainly not stand in the way of that. We would encourage it.

Secondary information