§ 42. Mrs. Sally Oppenheimasked the Attorney-General what is his policy regarding giving advice to magistrates on matrimonial cases.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Peter Rawlinson)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to her on 23rd March 1971. Since then my noble and learned Friend, on 11th June 1971, addressed the Magistrates' Association on the jurisdiction of magistrates' courts in family matters, which is a subject to which he continues to attach much importance.—[Vol. 814, c. 85.]
§ Mrs. OppenheimIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that since supplementary benefit has been much more accessible to divorced and deserted wives, there has been a marked reluctance by the courts to award or to enforce maintenance payments? Should not courts be made aware that this puts deserted or divorced wives at a great disadvantage? If such a wife receives supplementary benefit and then starts to earn, she loses supplementary benefit, whereas if she received maintenance payments this would not be the case.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI will look at the matter to which my hon. Friend refers. If she could give me specific details, I would be interested to receive them.
§ Mr. DalyellWhen do the Government expect to have in their hands the Finer Report?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThat does not arise from this Question, but I can answer the hon. Gentleman by saying that I do not know.