§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements exist between the United Kingdom and other members of the EEC for the reciprocal enforcement of maintenance orders, and with which countries.
§ Mr. BrittanThe United Kingdom operates arrangements for the reciprocal recovery of maintenance with all the member States of the European Community. There is a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Ireland in accordance with which maintenance orders are transmitted and enforced under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (Republic of Ireland) Order 1974 (SI 1974 No. 2140). Arrangements with the other member States are operated in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance: claims for maintenance are transmitted, determined and enforced in the United Kingdom under part II of the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972. In addition, the United Kingdom and France are parties to the Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions relating to Maintenance Obligations, in accordance with which maintenance orders may be transmitted and enforced under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (Hague Convention Countries) Order 1979 (SI 1979 No. 1317).