To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Operation Payback; whether it has operated in (a) Redbridge and (b) Waltham Forest; and if she will make a statement. (78556)

The last Operation Payback initiative (Operation Payback 3) took place between 15 and23 October 2005. Operation Payback 3 was undertaken by all 42 HMCS areas including north-east London, which covers Redbridge and Waltham Forest.

A reduction in financial penalties outstanding of £2.09 million can be specifically attributed to Operation Payback 3. In total, the three Operation Paybacks undertaken to date have reduced court debt by over £4.5 million.