Written question asked by Baroness Laing of Elderslie (Conservative) on Friday, 12 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 February 1999. It was answered by Henry McLeish (Labour) on Monday, 22 February 1999 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) each individual sheriffdom last year were charged with (i) one to three, (ii) four to five, (iii) five to 10 and (iv) more than 10 fixed penalty offences. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mrs. Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) each individual sheriffdom last year were charged with (i) one to three, (ii) four to five, (iii) five to 10 and (iv) more than 10 fixed penalty offences. [71874] Mr. McLeish: Procurators Fiscal are empowered to make a conditional offer of a fixed penalty (fiscal fine) in relation to any offence in respect of which an alleged offender could competently be tried before the district court. The police or the Procurator Fiscal may also make a conditional offer of a fixed penalty in respect of certain road traffic offences. Information collected since 1996 indicates that 92 per cent. of fiscal fines accepted involved one fine, 7 per cent. involved 2 fines, 1 per cent. involved 3 fines and 0.4 per cent. 4-8 fines. From 1 July, Procurator Fiscal conditional offers (fiscal fines) will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament. Police and Procurator Fiscal fixed penalties for road traffic offences will be reserved.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 71874; 326 c154W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Fixed penalties Fines Scotland Road traffic offences Procurators fiscal
Contains statistics: Yes