HC Deb 13 November 1968 vol 773 cc112-3W
Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what Social Security allowances or payments were paid in the years 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967 arising from non-payment of maintenance orders.

Mr. Pentland

I regret that this information is not available. However, a survey carried out in June, 1967 showed that of the women then in receipt of supplementary benefit 70,000 held maintenance orders, and 31,500 of these orders were being complied with regularly, whilst 18,000 held affiliation orders and 9,000 of these orders were being complied with regularly.

Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many prosecutions were initiated by his Department on behalf of, or in the case of, women receiving Social Security allowances or payments arising from non-payment of maintenance orders in the years 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967, respectively.

Mr. Pentland

I regret the information is not available in the form requested. The National Assistance Board and the Ministry of Social Security took criminal proceedings against men for failure to maintain dependants as follows:

1964 446
1965 604
1966 635
1967 716

It is not known in how many of these cases a court order was current.