§ Ms RyanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she intends to publish a new framework document for the Child Support Agency. [36829]
§ Mr. DenhamWe expect the Child Support Agency to provide an efficient and effective service to all its clients throughout the child support assessment process. There are signs that the Agency's performance has improved since its early days, but there is still a long way to go. We are, therefore, looking for substantial and sustained operational improvements—in particular in getting more maintenance paid, reducing the backlog and improving customer service.
278W
Year Class Vote Title Amount (£) 1996–97 I Ministry of Defence 1 Defence: operational and support costs 1,273,150.43 2 Defence: logistics services 171,580,207.60 3 Defence: systems procurement and research 22,480,149.95 Total 195,333,507.98 1995–96 I Ministry of Defence 1 Defence: operational and support costs 28,217,019.98 IV Trade and Industry 10 Office of Gas Supply 1,000.00 VII Environment 6 Office of Water Services 212,054.73 XIII Department of Social Security 1 Central government administered social security benefits and other payments 183,043,307.47 The Agency's current Framework Document expires at the end of this financial year. However we have been looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support Scheme to see where improvements can be made and we aim to bring forward a consultation paper on our proposals by the Summer. In the meantime, we have decided to roll forward the Agency's current Framework Document until the future direction of the Child Support scheme is clear-a revised version will then be published.