§ 31. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the possibility of changing the law under which a debt owed under default in payment of maintenance orders is liquidated by a term of imprisonment and will make it possible for the court to order a direct stoppage from earnings.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonLegislation on the lines suggested would be highly controversial and I cannot hold out any hope of its introduction.
§ Sir A. KnoxIs not the Minister aware that the present system is most unfair, as the claimant gets no benefit out of the husband, or whoever it may be, going to prison?
§ Mr. MorrisonI quite agree that there are arguments both ways about the matter, but, in the present state of the legislative programme, I am afraid that I could not go into this very difficult and controversial matter.
§ Sir A. KnoxWill the right hon. Gentleman consider putting it in the queue?