Part of Criminal Justice Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 2:30 pm ar 27 Chwefror 2003.
Dominic Grieve
Shadow Minister (Home Affairs)
2:30,
27 Chwefror 2003
Of course I welcome the reduction in the number of people in prison for fine default, but does the hon. Gentleman have the figures for outstanding fine amounts and the extent to which outstanding fines have been rising for the respective years for which he is quoting? I do not have the figures, but I fear he will find that the amount outstanding on fines today is higher than it was then.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
