HC Deb 10 December 1997 vol 302 c606W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the recent performance of the Child Support Agency. [18730]

Mr. Keith Bradley

Although there are some signs that the Child Support Agency's performance may have improved since its early days, there is still a long way to go before public confidence in it reaches an acceptable level. We are therefore looking closely at all aspects of the Agency's work to ensure that it provides a consistent, fair and efficient service to all its clients. We aim to bring forward proposals in the first half of next year.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she plans to visit the CSA in Belfast. [14224]

Mr. Keith Bradley

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, regularly visits the operational units of the Department. She has no immediate plans to visit the Child Support Agency in Belfast which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.