§ 31. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for regulations to ensure that a wife to whom payment is due under a maintenance order shall always be told of her right to be heard in enforcement proceedings.
§ Miss BaconThe point is being considered in the context of other possible amendments of the Magistrates' Courts Rules.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeWhen undertaking the review, would the right hon. Lady bear in mind the case, details of which I sent to her, of a deserted wife who found that she had lost £600 in maintenance arrears without having had the oportunity of attending the proceedings at which that decision was made?
§ Miss BaconYes. As I explained to the hon. Gentleman in the letter which I sent to him, this was an unusual case, but it brought to light circumstances in which this could happen. We are, therefore, looking into the matter.