asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the inflation rate over the last ten years, he will in cases where the maximum fine in the District Court is £500 agree to increase such fines to £1,000 and thereby enable other Departments to increase the maximum penalties from £500 as fixed at present.
Written Answers. - District Court Fines.
1022.
The maximum fines that may be imposed for breaches of any legal provisions that relate to my area of responsibility are reviewed as the opportunity arises when any related amending legislation is being considered. Ideally, no doubt, such a review would be carried out on a regular basis but, in the legislative area as in other areas, questions of priorities arise.
I have no direct function in relation to penalties fixed in legislation sponsored by other Ministers.