HC Deb 07 August 1975 vol 897 cc304-5W
Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Attorney-General (1) in the case of maintenance orders administered by the Wrekin Magistrates' Court, Salop, now in arrear, what are the average numbers of payments in arrear;

(2) in the case of maintenance orders, originally made by the high court or a county court, which have been registered in the Wrekin Magistrates' Court, Salop, under the Maintenance Orders Act 1958, during the last three years, how many orders have been made varying the rates of payments thereunder by reducing the same within 12 months of the registration thereof;

(3) how many complaints for the enforcement of maintenance orders administered by the Wrekin Magistrates' Court, Salop, have been laid by the clerk to the justices in each of the last three years;

(4) what is the total number of maintenance orders, originally made by the high court or a county court, which have been registered in the Wrekin Magistrates' Court, Salop, under the Maintenance Orders Act 1958, during each of the last three years;

(5) what is the total amount of arrears under maintenance orders administered by the Wrekin Magistrates' Court, Salop, which have been remitted in each of the last three years;

(6) what has been, during each of the last three years, the average period of time elapsing from a maintenance order administered by the Wrekin Magistrates' Court, Salop, first falling into arrear to the issue of process for the enforcement of the same;

(7) how many attachment of earnings orders to enforce maintenance orders administered by the Wrekin Magistrates' Court, Salop, have been made in each of the last three years;

(8) how many commitment orders in respect of maintenance orders administered by the Wrekin Magistrates' Court, Salop, have been (a) made and (b) enforced by warrant in each of the last three years;

(9) what is the total amount of arrears now outstanding for maintenance orders administered by the Wrekin Magistrates' Court, Salop;

(10) how many maintenance orders administered by the Wrekin Magistrates' Court, Salop, are now in arrears.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

I have been asked to reply.

This information is not readily available. I will make inquiries and write to the hon. Member.

Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Attorney-General what steps he takes to supervise and secure the due compliance by magistrates' clerks with their duty to proceed expeditiously for the enforcement of arrears accruing under maintenance orders administered by them, and the prompt accounting for payments falling due thereunder.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

I have been asked to reply.

None. Magistrates' clerks are responsible not to my right hon. Friend but to their magistrates for the efficient perfomance of their duty.