HC Deb 25 April 1994 vol 242 cc69-71W
Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many parents with care were taken off income support following the award of maintenance payments by the Child Support Agency at the latest date for which figures are available; and what percentage that was of all the parents with care in receipt of income support in whose care an assessment has been finalised.

Mr. Burt

The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the annual report of the Child Support Agency for 1993–94 will be published.

Mr. Burt

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 22 April 1994: I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the publication of the Child Support Agency's annual report. The Agency aims to publish an annual report by the late summer of 1994. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House, and will also be available from the Agency's headquarters. I hope that this reply is helpful.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the arrears of maintenance currently outstanding on Child Support Agency assessments; and what percentage this is of the total that should have been paid at the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. Burt

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 22 April 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the arrears of maintenance currently outstanding on Child Support Agency assessments. The Child Support Computer System is being upgraded to provide the information requested, but validated data is not currently available. I am sorry not to be more helpful.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases an arrestment of wages has been carried out by the Child Support Agency at the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. Burt

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Donald Dewar, 22 April 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of cases in whch the Child Support Agency carried out an arrestment of wages. To the end of March 1994, deductions from earnings orders had been carried out in an estimated 2,600 cases. I hope that this reply is helpful.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average weekly sum set by the Child Support Agency as a maintenance payment at the latest date for which figures are available(a) including and (b) excluding cases where the absent parent is on benefit and contributing only £2.20 per week.

Mr. Burt

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 22 April 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the average weekly sum of child maintenance. I am afraid that information is not available in the form requested. Overall, however, we estimate that average weekly maintenance assessments by the Agency are approximately £45–£50 a week. I hope that this reply is helpful.

Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who have reached agreements for payments with the Child Support Agency are(a) registered unemployed and (b) in employment.

Mr. Burt

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Stephen Byers, dated 22 April 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of clients of the Child Support Agency who are unemployed or in work. I am afraid that information is not available in the form that you have requested. However, information is available on the number of maintenance assessments completed where the absent parent was in receipt of income support. At 28 February 1994, there had been 36,000 such assessments. I hope this reply is helpful.

Mr. Ashby

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what money has been received as a result of the activities of the Child Support Agency.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to the reply, 25 March 1994, column 452]: Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive of the Child Support Agency, has informed me that the figure of £181 million is incorrect and should read £169 million.