§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will introduce measures to enable single mothers to compel financial support from the fathers concerned who are unwilling to make voluntary contributions.
§ Mr. Peter LloydArrangements for single mothers to obtain maintenance orders for their children are the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Home Office. Two measures introduced this year will enable more mothers to obtain maintenance. First, the time limit for starting proceedings has been abolished, and second, DNA testing is available to determine paternity where it is in dispute.
When a mother claims income support the Department tries to obtain a contribution from the father, and can take proceedings if he refuses to make payments which he can afford. However, the Government are concerned that more fathers should meet their responsibility to support their children. We have therefore introduced revised procedures to make this work more effective.