§
28 Clause 13, page 8, line 44, after 'may', insert
—(a)'.
§
29 Page 8, line 44, at end insert '; or
(b) disclose it to the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland for purposes of any enactment corresponding to this Act and having effect with respect to Northern Ireland.'.
§ Lord HenleyMy Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 28 and 29. These are purely technical amendments which allow information collected for the purposes of the benefit Acts to be used for the assessment, collection or enforcement of child support maintenance in Northern Ireland. I commend the amendments to the House.
§ Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 28 and 29.—(Lord Henley.)
§ Lord RentonMy Lords, when one looks at Clause 48 one discovers that parts of the Bill are to apply directly to Northern Ireland. However, it is clear that other legislation on this subject will apply to Northern Ireland. Can my noble friend give the House a broad idea of the effect of the words:
of any enactment corresponding to this Act and having effect with respect to Northern Ireland"?Now under direct rule a great deal of legislation that is applicable to Northern Ireland is carried out by Order in Council. Therefore, may we assume that the reference in Amendment No. 29 will include legislation by Order in Council, even though the word "enactment" is used?
§ Lord HenleyMy Lords, I believe that I can assure my noble friend that that will be the case. However, if I am wrong I shall write to him to set the matter right. Reciprocal provision exists whereby information collected for benefit purposes in Northern Ireland can be used for child support purposes in Great Britain. That must be included in the corresponding Northern Ireland enactment. I presume that that means by provisions, but if I am wrong I shall write to my noble friend.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.