HC Deb 11 March 1948 vol 448 cc174-5W
72. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the arrangements under which wives granted maintenance orders against their husbands obtain their entitlements; and if he will make a statement about the enforcement of payment when money is withheld by the husband.

Mr Ede

I have no reason for thinking that any general alteration of the law is called for as regards the enforcement in England and Wales of wife maintenance orders made by courts of summary jurisdiction, who in the last resort have power to commit the husband to prison if his failure to pay is due to wilful refusal or culpable neglect, but I should be glad to consider any point of difficulty which the hon. Member may have in mind.