HC Deb 17 May 1994 vol 243 cc437-8W
Sir Dudley Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington can expect a response to his letter of complaint about the Child Support Agency's treatment of his constituent, Mr. N. A. Leach, of Leamington Spa, about which he wrote to the Under-Secretary of State on 23 February.

Mr. Burt

I replied to the hon. Member today.

Mr. Ingram

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals have been made to child support appeal tribunals to-date; in how many of these cases the Child Support Agency has forwarded submissions and how many of these met the target of responding to the independent tribunal service within 18 days; how many of these appeals have been heard to date; and in how many of those the child support officer's decision has been overturned.

Mr. Burt

I am informed that the number of child support appeals received by the independent tribunal service to the end of April is 2,070. On these appeals, the Child Support Agency has forwarded a total of 521 submissions; 184 within the 18 day target. By 30 April, 250 appeals had been heard, of which 221 have been finally decided. In 91 of the decided cases the child support officer's decision was overturned.

Mr. Terry Davis

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the purpose of the Child Support Agency event at Abberley in Worcestershire from 9 May to 11 May; which hotel was used; how many people attended the event; what was the estimated cost; and from how many hotels quotations were sought.

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. Terry Davis, dated 16 May 1994. I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency's event at Abberley. The event in question was a management training course for staff at the Child Support Agency Centre in Dudley. It was held at the Elms Hotel, Abberley and was attended by nine members of the Agency's staff. The total cost incurred was £l,515,40. Quotations were sought from nine hotels before making the reservation. I hope this reply is helpful.