§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make it his policy to strengthen regulations to prevent harassment of lone parents by social security officials to name and pursue absent parents for maintenance payments;
(2) if he will make it his policy to replace the current benefits penalty on lone mothers refusing to co-operate with the Child Support Agency in detecting fathers with a small disregard in income support.
§ Mr. BurtThere is currently no requirement for a mother to name the father of her child when claiming benefits, though more than three-quarters of never-married mothers do so voluntarily. I have recently reinforced guidelines to social security offices to ensure best possible practice in relation to sensitive inquiries. From April 1993, when the Child Support Agency becomes operational, there will be a legal requirement for parents getting prescribed benefits to co-operate in obtaining maintenance for their children, unless compliance would risk causing harm or undue distress to the parent with care or to any child living with her.
A disregard of maintenance, in income support, would not be helpful for the majority of lone parents, who want to work now or in the near future.
We have no plans to change our policy on these matters.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to restore the real value of one-parent benefit to its 1990 level.
§ Mr. BurtNo. All lone parents gained at least £2 a week (extra) from last year's increase in child benefit, and from April this year we increased both child benefit and one parent benefit in line with prices.