§ Mr. Jim Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are subject to deductions from (a) wages and (b) welfare benefits under the Payment of Debt Act in the years 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, and 1986–87; and what is the number of representations he has received urging repeal or amendments to the Act.
§ Mr. StanleyThe number of people from whom deductions from salaries have been made since 1983 under the Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 is approximately as follows:
Numbers 1983–84 2,267 1984–85 2,025 1985–86 2,135 1986–87 1,608 These figures are the aggregate of the numbers of people from whom deductions from wages or salaries have been made on behalf of Northern Ireland Electricity, the Northern Ireland gas undertakings, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the rating division of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.
Similar information in relation to deductions from welfare payments is not available.
There have been five requests calling for the repeal or amendment of the Act since 1983.