§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have received a copy of the Equal Opportunities Commission in Northern Ireland's Study of Single Parent Families, and whether they agree with the conclusions and recommendations summarised in Chapter 9 of the report, and in particular whether they agree that a significant number of single parents are failing to claim benefits to which they are entitled; that the most important single obstacle preventing single parents from working is the absence of child care facilities; that wives should not be asked to clear rent arrears for which they are not liable; and finally whether they agree that stronger machinery to advise single parents of their rights is clearly needed and that Northern Ireland should have a single authority responsible for assessing and collecting maintenance payments.
1371WA
§ Lord EltonThe report is under consideration and I will be in touch with the noble Lord when decisions are made on its conclusions and recommendations.