As he took charge of the country's courts system, high-flying MP Chris Leslie revealed there will be a Government crackdown on fine dodgers who get away with owing thousands of pounds to courts.

He said some people were cocking a snook at the criminal justices system while others had no confidence in it because they saw criminals appearing to escape punishment.

But Mr Leslie, MP for Shipley, said: "We are not prepared to tolerate it. We must make some tough decisions about how we recover money from people who have dodged the system

"We need changes to the criminal justice system and it must benefit the public."

He spelled out his message about the 'get tough policy' - which will be officially announced next week - at his first Ministerial visit to Bingley magistrates Court yesterday.

Latest figures show that out of a total of £15.5 million owed last year in West Yorkshire, £7.1 million remained unpaid when the accounts were closed. But the arrears were lower than many other parts of Britain.

Magistrates fix amounts offenders can pay regularly to cover their fines but people are sent to prison if they fall into arrears. Thousands of pounds are often written off, however.

Mr Leslie also pledged to protect witnesses who were often frightened and humiliated when they attended court.

The 30-year-old, who is already a minister for the third time in Tony Blair's Government, said he also wanted to see courts operating more efficiently without long delays before cases were dealt with and people taking time off work, only to find them adjourned.

Mr Leslie's new appointment as Minister of Courts is in the controversial new Department of Constitutional affairs, headed by Lord Falcolner of Thoroton, who will be his direct boss.

It was set up as a result of the Prime Minister's decision to axe the 1,400-year-old office of Lord Chancellor in one of the most controversial reshuffles since he took office.

Mr Leslie, still the youngest minister in the Government, is in charge of the criminal justice system and all courts.

He is heavily involved as courts minister in the setting up of a new independent Judicial Appointments Commission to ensure there is no political issue over the appointments of judges. The new supreme court is also in Mr Leslie's remit.

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe has also been promoted - to Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations, including the tribunal service, ACAS and Low Pay Commission.

Mr Sutcliffe is also in charge of competition policy, consumer policy, the Insolvency Service and Companies House.

He will also support fellow DTI minister Jaqui Smith on European policy and corporate governance.

The former Bradford Council leader said: "Naturally, I'm delighted and honoured to be appointed a Minister at the DTI as it's one of the most dynamic and important areas of Government. It has the clear aim of generating wealth for everyone in the UK by helping people and businesses to become more productive and more successful."