HC Deb 23 September 1948 vol 456 c1079
42. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the hardship to many women who are separated from their husbands, caused by the non-payment to magistrates' clerks of allowances made by order of the court, if he will consider some alternative method of payment to ensure that women receive their money regularly and are not compelled to appeal for public assistance.

Mr. Ede

On the information before me, I have no reason to think that any general alteration of the law is called for as regards the enforcement in England and Wales of wife maintenance orders made by courts of summary jurisdiction, which in the last resort have power to commit the husband to prison if satisfied that his failure to pay is due to wilful refusal or culpable neglect.