Fines imposed in individual cases are entirely a matter for the independent courts within the limits set by Parliament and following any relevant sentencing guidelines. The law requires that the amount of any fine must reflect both the seriousness of the offence and the known financial circumstances of the offender.<\/p>
<\/p>
HM Courts and Tribunals Service takes the issue of fine enforcement very seriously and is working to ensure that clamping down on fine defaulters is a continued priority nationwide. Over recent years we have overseen improvements to the collection of financial penalties. There was a total of £290m collected against fines and related impositions in 2013/14 which was a record high.<\/p>
<\/p>
In April 2012 the Government raised the maximum fine for the offence of persistently selling alcohol to a person under the age of 18 from £10,000 to £20,000 in cases where alcohol has been sold twice within a period of three months from the same premises.<\/p>
<\/p>
The number of defendants proceeded against for offences involving sale of alcohol to those under the age of 18 in England and Wales from 2009 to 2013 can be viewed in the table attached.<\/p>
<\/p>
In this time-period, no offender has been sentenced at any court in England and Wales, to the maximum penalty for the offences of persistently selling alcohol to children; of selling alcohol to a person aged under 18 years, or of allowing the sale of alcohol to a person under 18 years.<\/p>
<\/p>
Between April 2012 and December 2013 no offender has received a fine above the previous maximum for the offence of persistently selling alcohol to children.<\/p>
<\/p>
Court proceedings data for 2014 are planned for publication in Spring 2015.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"} , "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/174927/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "HL4306 - Table.doc.xls"} , "title" : " Fines Selling alcohol to under 18s"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-04T16:31:43.757Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Alcoholic Drinks: Children"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government how many prosecutions there have been for alcohol sales to those under the age of 18 since the new maximum fine for the offence was introduced; how many such prosecutions resulted in the maximum fine being applied; and how many prosecutions in the same period resulted in fines exceeding the previous maximum.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3335", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe"} ], "uin" : "HL4306"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/174961", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/174961/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
NOMS does not tolerate violence of any kind in prison and any assault is treated extremely seriously.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p> Trends on assaults in prisons (1) between prisoners and (2) by prisoners on officers are published in Table 3.8 of the Safety in Custody statistics bulletin. This can be found in the 'Assaults in prison custody 2000 to 2013' statistics. Statistics to show assaults in prison custody for 2014 can be found in \u2018Safety in custody summary tables to September 2014\u2019 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/safety-in-custody-statistics-quarterly-update-to-june-2014<\/a><\/p> <\/p> The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has a duty of care to prevent illicit and unauthorised items from entering prisons. As such, prisons may deploy a comprehensive range of robust searching and security measures to detect weapons, both at the point of entry to the prison or concealed within the prison.<\/p> <\/p> NOMS have put forward new legislation in the Serious Crime Bill to ensure that those who possess knives, bladed or pointed weapons and other offensive weapons in prison can face prosecution under a new criminal offence, punishable by up to four years in prison. The new legislation will provide a greater deterrent against the trafficking of weapons into prison and the possession and use of weapons in prison, strengthening the measures already available to tackle violence.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-04T15:49:50.653Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisons: Crimes of Violence"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what have been the trends in the last five years of violent incidents in prisons (1) between inmates, and (2) between prison staff and inmates; and what steps they are taking to remove dangerous weapons from inmates.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2543", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hunt of Chesterton"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hunt of Chesterton"}
], "uin" : "HL4340"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/174859", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/174859/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Her Majesty\u2019s Government\u2019s firm view is that Christianity is a very important part of our society and national culture. The Lord Chancellor is himself a strong defender of Christian freedom of expression, and is categorical that a judicial office holder would never be, and has not been, disciplined solely on the basis of their religious views.<\/p> <\/p> The disciplinary ruling in the case of Richard Page JP reflected the long-standing principle that cases before any court in the land are decided wholly on their facts, not on personal beliefs. This essential tenet for any fair and impartial justice system, and the oath magistrates take upon appointment has been in place since 1868 for that very reason.<\/p> <\/p> This Government has actively promoted the great Christian heritage of this country and believes that Christianity plays a vital role in our national life and that faith inspires people to become involved in public service including providing help to those in need.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-03T17:52:03.567Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Sector: Equality"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether, as a consequence of the Lord Chancellor\u2019s disciplinary ruling in the case of Richard Page JP, they will indicate how they intend to ensure that those in public office find no hindrance in expressing, promoting or practising Christian morals and principles as a result of the Government's equality policies.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/648", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Maginnis of Drumglass"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Maginnis of Drumglass"}
], "uin" : "HL4286"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/174541", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/174541/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Young offenders\u2019 time in custody should be an opportunity to turn their lives around and prevent them reoffending.<\/p> <\/p> Education contracts have now been awarded in public sector young offender institutions (YOIs) for young people under 18. They will more than double the current average number of hours of education provided for young people in YOIs each week, and focus on providing a quality of education equivalent to mainstream schools and colleges that meets the individual needs of young people including those with special educational needs.<\/p> <\/p> From April 2015, local authorities will be under a duty to arrange the special education provision set out in a young person\u2019s Education Health and Care (EHC) plan, including speech and language therapy, while a young person is detained in custody. Those in charge of secure establishments and health service commissioners will work with the local authority in fulfilling their duty to arrange appropriate provision. A request for an EHC plan assessment can also be made while the young person is detained and the assessment can begin in custody.<\/p> <\/p> Alongside the improved education contracts, a new core day will be implemented in YOIs over the coming months. This will support the increased education hours and schedule other daily activities around learning as happens for young people in the community so that the full range of their needs can be addressed.<\/p> <\/p> Secure Colleges will for the first time offer a fully integrated, multi-agency approach to tackling the offending of young people. The regime will be integrated with health, substance misuse and wider services. The operator procurement will focus on ensuring that the provider has the skills and experience to achieve improved outcomes by delivering this holistic regime to meet the individual needs of each young person accommodated there.<\/p> <\/p> The first Secure College has been carefully designed with flexibility in mind to support an integrated regime which effectively addresses individual needs, and the principal health and education centres are located in a single building to facilitate ease of access and reduce interruptions.<\/p> <\/p> We will finalise expectations on Secure Colleges in respect of children and young people with special educational needs following further engagement with educationalists and prospective providers.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-02T16:26:38.947Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Young Offenders: Speech and Language Disorders"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, given the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' assessment that over 60 per cent of young people in the youth justice estate have speech and language problems, what plans they have to provide time for such needs to be addressed in addition to the 30 hours per week for education in the forthcoming contract for young offender institutions and (from 2017) the new secure colleges, as stated by Lord Faulks in his Written Answers of 3 December 2014 (HL2982 and HL2983).", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3254", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Quirk"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Quirk"}
], "uin" : "HL4241"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173016", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/173016/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prisons is a key priority for the Government. As is the case in society at large, there is no simple explanation with complex and individual reasons behind any suicide.<\/p> It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the amount per annum spent on reducing self-inflicted deaths in custody as there is a diverse range of activities being undertaken by a number of different organisations which contributes towards this.<\/p> Within NOMS, this involves a wide range of staff at all levels in establishments to manage prisoners identified as at risk, ensure that the environment is safe, decent and secure and to enhance the health and wellbeing of prisoners generally. Other staff work at NOMS headquarters and regions to learn lessons from deaths in custody and to share good practice across the estate. Outside NOMS, a wide range of stakeholders advise and support NOMS, such as the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Coroners, The National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group and the Ministerial Council on Deaths in Custody.<\/p> The Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process, which is a prisoner-centred, flexible care planning system for prisoners identified as at risk of suicide or self-harm, is a multi-disciplinary process, and each prisoner subject to it is managed by a team composed of a range of staff drawn from the prison and other organisations, such as healthcare and education providers. The composition of the team will vary in each case. Providing an accurate estimate of the costs of ACCT is therefore not possible.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-26T16:49:02.55Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisoners: Suicide"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Faulks on 3 December (HL2986), what is their assessment of the amount per annum spent on reducing self-inflicted deaths in custody.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1137", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Patten"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Patten"}
], "uin" : "HL4088"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172316", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172316/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Public authorities may provide information in response to a request for information exceeding the \u201cappropriate limit\u201d in section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on the basis that the requester pays certain costs. The Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 set out fees that may be charged in such cases under section 13 of the Act. However, it is entirely left to the discretion of the public authority whether or not to offer to comply on payment of such a fee.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-01-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-01-14T16:57:08.197Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-01-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Freedom of Information"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether a Freedom of Information request which would exceed the financial threshold can be validly submitted on the basis that the enquirer pays the excess so that the information is provided.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2568", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ashcroft"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Ashcroft"}
], "uin" : "HL3899"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172319", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/172319/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "