§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount in the most recent year paid by way of maintenance for wives and children where husbands were in default or in arrear; and how much was recovered.
§ Mr. DeanI regret that this information is not available as the only social security benefit at present paid in these circumstances is supplementary benefit, and the reasons for payment of this are not analysed. The hon. Member may, however, wish to know that, on the basis of information obtained annually of the amount of supplementary benefit paid out to various categories of claimants, it is estimated that in 1971 about £66 million was paid to about 139,500 separated wives where it was necessary to pursue the question of liability to maintain. This sum was paid after taking into account about £6 million in maintenance payments received by the wives themselves. It is not possible to make354W a reliable estimate of how much of the £66 million was paid as a direct consequence of the failure to meet maintenance orders.
During the financial year 1971–72 the Department recovered about £10½ million from persons liable to maintain. It is not known how much of this sum was in respect of separated wives.