§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are in prison currently for arrears of maintenance; under what statutory authority imprisonment is ordered in such cases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe data are not readily available, but I shall write to the hon. Member. Statutory authority to imprison maintenance defaulters is conferred by section 5 of the Debtors Act 1869 for the High Court and county courts, and by sections 64 and 74 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 for magistrates' courts.