§ 29. Mr. KnapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will seek to ensure that absent husbands and fathers accept their responsibility for supporting lone parent families.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe Government are naturally concerned that absent parents should meet their responsibilities for their children as far as possible.
When a lone parent claims income support the Department tries to obtain maintenance from the absent parent for his dependants. The Department can take proceedings if he refuses to make payments which it appears he can afford. In addition the lone parent can apply direct to the courts for maintenance from the absent parent. It is for the courts to decide in the circumstances of the case whether and how much maintenance to award.
§ 34. Mr. FavellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone mothers receiving income support do not receive any maintenance.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe most recent figures available are for May 1988 and show that maintenance was not paid for some 530,000 lone mothers in receipt of income support at that time.
Source: Income Support Annual Statistical Enquiry 1988.