§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average period of imprisonment and the longest sentence imposed upon those men imprisoned in 1974 for nonpayment of affiliation orders or maintenance payments;
(2) what is the longest period served in prison by the 215 men imprisoned on 5th January 1976 for non-payment of affiliation orders or maintenance payments.
§ Dr. SummerskillIt has not been possible to obtain this information within the time available. However, I will write to my hon. Friend when the information has been obtained.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the number of children of the 215 men imprisoned on 5th January 1976 for nonpayment of affiliation orders or maintenance payments, and if he will distinguish between those children belonging to the family not receiving payment and those belonging to the imprisoned man's present family;
(2) how many of the 215 men imprisoned on 5th January 1976 for nonpayment of affiliation orders or maintenance payments have another family to support.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that this information is not available and could be collected only at a disproportionate cost.
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§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department it he will seek to find more efficient means of dealing with men defaulting on affiliation orders or maintenance payments than that of imprisonment.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonThe threat of imprisonment is used against such defaulters only as a last resort, when other methods of enforcement have failed or cannot be used. Imprisonment may not be ordered if the court is of opinion that the default is not due to wilful refusal or culpable neglect. We are not persuaded that there is scope for introducing further means of enforcement.
Functions Main Acts conferring functions Certain functions concerned with the prevention of animal diseases and with the maintenance of animal welfare (Great Britain for most functions but for some England and Wales only). Diseases of Animals Act 1950. Slaughter of Poultry Act 1967. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968. Medicines Act 1968. Rabies Act 1974. Slaughterhouses Act 1974. Execution and enforcement of certain aspects of legislation concerning food safety, composition and labelling (England and Wales). Food and Drugs Act 1955. Execution and enforcement of certain aspects of legislation concerning hygiene, composition and labelling of milk (England and Wales). Food and Drugs Act 1955. Execution and enforcement of certain aspects of legislation concerning slaughterhouse hygiene and meat inspection (England and Wales). Food and Drugs Act 1955. Slaughterhouses Act 1974. Provision of public slaughterhouses and cold stores and refrigerators for public slaughterhouses (England and Wales). Slaughterhouses Act 1974. Execution and enforcement of certain aspects of legislation concerning marketing standards for eggs (England and Wales). Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act 1928. European Communities Act 1972. Enforcement of Community wine regulations at retail level (England and Wales). European Communities Act 1972. Enforcement of certain aspects of fertilisers and feedingstuffs legislation (England and Wales). Agriculture Act 1970. Enforcement of requirement on occupier of agricultural land to provide, maintain and keep clean sanitary conveniences for use of agricultural workers (England and Wales). Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act 1956. Rodent control (England and Wales) Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949. Pests Act 1954. Dog licensing (England and Wales) Dog Licensing Act 1959. Local Government Act 1966. Control of dogs (Great Britain) Diseases of Animals Act 1950. Provision of civic restaurants (England and Wales) Civic Restaurants Act 1947 as amended by the Local Government Act 1974. Land drainage and flood protection (England and Wales) Land Drainage Acts 1930 and 1961. London Government Act 1963. Agriculture Act 1970. Water Act 1973. Certain functions relating to statutory smallholdings (England and Wales). Agriculture Act 1970 Appointments to Sea Fisheries Committees (England and Wales). Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966. I also have powers, currently unused, to require local authorities in England and Wales to execute certain provisions of the Plant Health Act 1967.