asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount of court fines imposed during 1976 or the most recently convenient accounting year; what was the cost of collecting these fines; and what happened to the balance.

Information as to the total amount of fines imposed is not available centrally, but the total amount of fines collected by the courts in the financial year ended 31st March 1976 was £45,885,990. The cost of collecting fines is not distinguishable from other costs relating to the administration of magistrates' courts. Fines and fees collected by magistrates' courts are remitted to the Home Office for payment into the Consolidated Fund.