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Collection of Fines (Final Scheme) Order 2006

I am most grateful to both noble Lords for welcoming the order. I was a little taken aback by the congratulations of the noble Lord, Lord Henley. In my very brief career in politics, I think that that is the first time I have heard a leading Member of the Opposition congratulate the Government on doing something. However, standing slightly to one side, I must say that this appears to be an extremely successful venture by the Government. The noble Lord, Lord Henley, asked how much the new scheme has cost to implement. In 2005–06, £3.96 million was allocated to Her Majesty’s Court Service regions for Courts Act roll-out. That money was provided via the netting-off mechanism. It allows moneys generated from fine income to be reinvested in regional enforcements. We predict that the new scheme will generate improved fine revenues of £9.9 million and cost savings of £8.5 million, which will mean a total benefit of £18.4 million per annum. We do not have the per pound figures in the pilot areas because we have not measured the pilots in that way, but I shall look to see whether I can give the noble Lord any further information. Finally, the figure that the noble Lord, Lord Henley, so cleverly picked up from Hansard, given by my right honourable friend Harriet Harman was inaccurate and has since been corrected. Letters have been sent out. The noble Lord, Lord Goodhart, asked why the discount was not piloted. It was not tested in the pilots because, given how the legislation was drafted, we were unable to leave it on the statute book. We plan to consider incentivisation for prompt payment as part of the new compliance strategy. Discounts are still there and we are happy about that. I hope that that answers the questions asked and I commend the order. On Question, Motion agreed to.