HC Deb 01 December 1994 vol 250 cc889-90W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost so far to the Child Support Agency of its legal advice.

Mr. Burt

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

Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 30 November 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the cost of legal advice to the Child Support Agency. The Agency incurs no legal costs as legal advice and other legal services are absorbed by the Department of Social Security central budgets.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints the Child Support Agency has received from people and their representatives about the working operations of the agency.

Mr. Burt

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

Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 30 November 1994: I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of complaints received by the Child Support Agency. From 5 April 1993 to 31 March 1994 the Agency recorded 10,886 complaints. Latest figures available show that the Agency has received a further 9,700 complaints since April 1994. The Agency does not distinguish between complaints against the operations of the Agency and those concerning child support legislation. I hope that this reply is helpful.

Mr. Ingram

To ask the Secretary of State for Social.Security (1) how many parents with care in receipt of.family credit at each child support agency reporting centre have received any maintenance(a) direct from the non-custodial parent and (b) via the Child Support Agency;

(2) how many parents with care not in receipt of benefit at each reporting centre have received any maintenance (a) direct from the non-custodial parent and (b) via the Child Support Agency;

(3) how many parents with care in receipt of income support at each Child Support Agency reporting centre have received any maintenance (a) direct from the non-custodial parents and (b) via the Child Support Agency;

(4) how many parents with care in receipt of disability working allowance at each Child Support Agency reporting centre have received any maintenance (a) direct from the non-custodial parent and (b) via the Child Support Agency.

Mr. Burt

The information requested is not a business requirement of the agency and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ingram

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many parents with care at each Child Support Agency reporting centre have been taken off income support after receiving maintenance payments;

(2) how many parents with care at each Child Support Agency reporting centre have been taken off income support and are now in receipt of family credit after receiving maintenance payments.

Mr. Burt

The information the hon. Gentleman requires could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Bill Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to implement the recommendations contained in the fifth report of the Social Security Committee of Session 1993–94, HC 470, on the operation of the Child Support Act.

Mr. Burt

We are still evaluating the contents of the Select Committee's report and we will respond in clue course with proposals for change. No final decisions have yet been taken.