HC Deb 19 May 1981 vol 5 cc77-8W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has now received from the director of One-Parent Families further to the reply sent to her by the Under-Secretary of State on 15 April; what reply he is sending; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

My right hon. Friend has not received any representation from the director specifically on my reply, but in a very recent letter on measures to control abuse she has asked for an assurance that the contents of that reply are still valid. I shall certainly give her that assurance and repeat that the questions which were the subject of that correspondence are asked of an unmarried mother only where the Department is taking action to secure maintenance for the child. There is no question of asking them in connection with control of abuse.