HC Deb 20 July 2004 vol 424 cc146-7W
Steve Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions resulting from the criminal offence of non-co-operation with the Child Support Agency there have been since January 2001. [184670]

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 with the information requested.

Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Webb dated 20 July 2004:

In reply to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many prosecutions resulting from the criminal offence of non-co-operations with the Child Support Agency there have been since January 2001. As at 30 June 2004, 319 people have been prosecuted under the Child Support Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 for failing to provide information to the Child Support Agency. Of these, 317 have been found guilty.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the Child Support Agency has been owed in outstanding maintenance payments in each of the last seven years. [184671]

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 with the information requested.

Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Webb, dated 20 July 2004:

In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much the CSA has been owed in outstanding maintenance payments in each of the last 7 years.

The annual accounts of the Agency indicate that the recoverable balance outstanding on full maintenance assessments, as at 31 March each year, is as follows:

£million
31 March 1998 412
31 March 1999 512
31 March 2000 521
31 March 2001 528
31 March 2002 509
31 March 2003 664

The accounts to 31 March 2004 will be published shortly.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many non-resident parents have had their driving licences removed by the courts since April 2001 as a result of the provisions introduced under the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000. [184673]

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 with the information requested.

Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Webb, dated 20 July 2004:

In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many non-resident parents have had their driving licences removed by the courts since April 2001 as a result of the provisions introduced under the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.

Disqualification from driving (and committal to prison) is only considered after all other enforcement options have been attempted or discounted. Since the power to withdraw driving licences was brought into effect on 2 April 2001–20 licences have been suspended and 2 licences have been removed.