§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Child Support Agency can pursue maintenance payments from parents who are illegal immigrants. [36985]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe Child Support Act 1995 applies only where both parents and the child are habitually resident in the UK. Where both parents and the child have addresses in the UK they are normally assumed to be habitually resident unless there is evidence to the contrary. In such a case, the child support officer would decide on the evidence available whether that person should be treated as habitually resident for child support purposes. An individual's immigrant status is decided by the Home Office. The Home Office decision on whether an individual can stay in the country will be key for the 587W child support officer in deciding whether they are habitually resident and therefore whether the Child Support Agency has jurisdiction.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many representations she has received from hon. Members on CSA matters in each month since 1 May 1997; and how many representations the Chief Executive has received in the same period. [36987]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe information is set out in the table.
The number of letters received from hon. and right hon. Members about the child support scheme for each month since May 1997 Month Ministerial Chief Executive May 1997 58 411 June 1997 185 698 July 1997 241 928 August 1997 162 581 September 1997 184 549 October 1997 217 837 November 1997 245 713 December 1997 202 634 January 1998 173 687 February 1998 222 739