HC Deb 04 July 2003 vol 408 cc519-20W
Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the scheme to remove driving licences from people who fail to pay child support has cost, including initial start-up costs. [121220]

Mr. Pond

The operation of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. David Willetts, dated 4 July 2003: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. You ask how much the scheme to remove driving licences from people who fail to pay child support has cost so far including initial start-up costs. I am unable to disaggregate the costs for removing driving licences from people who fail to pay child support from the Agency's overall administration costs, as this information is not available. However, I can tell you that the Agency's initial start-up cost was £25,000 and was in respect of a transfer of funds to the DVLA for changes required to their computer system.

Mr. Peter Duncan

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff are employed within the Child Support Agency on transition between the old and new systems of assessment. [118311]

Mr. Pond

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Peter Duncan, dated 4 July 2003: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. You ask how many staff are employed within the Child Support Agency on the transition between the old and new systems of assessment. Work on the transition permeates almost all areas of the Agency, and it's not possible, with accuracy, to identify the number of staff with some involvement. I can however say that under the new arrangements this is around 1500. These staff are working not only on new cases but on the many linked cases among the existing client base.