§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated cost during the last financial year, and how much police time was spent, in bringing maintenance defaulters who are found in the jurisdiction of another court to the court which issued the warrant.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable a maintenance defaulter to be brought before and dealt with by the magistrates' court in whose jurisdiction he is found.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganThis proposal, which would involve amendment of the Magistrates' Courts Rules, will be considered in connection with a forthcoming review of the Magistrates' Courts Rules.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will introduce legislation to amend Section 17 of the Maintenance Orders Act, 1958, to permit maintenance payments to be apportioned between current payments and arrears in cases where a suspended committal order is in force instead of all current payments being set off against past arrears;
(2) if he will introduce legislation to repeal Section 74(8) of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1958, because of the accounting difficulties it creates and its ineffectiveness in recovering arrears of maintenance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganThese proposals will be considered when a suitable opportunity for legislation occurs.