HC Deb 02 July 1990 vol 175 cc448-9W
13. Mr. Hind

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the progress of his proposals to oblige fathers to provide financial support for their children born out of marriage with whom they no longer reside.

Mr. Newton

Social security law has always placed an obligation on parents to maintain their children, and this applies just as much to an unmarried father as to any other parent. We are continuing to look at ways of ensuring that parents do as much as possible to meet this obligation.

44. Dr. Twinn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to announce proposals resulting from his review of the maintenance system; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Action is already being taken to improve the existing arrangements: for example, by various measures included in the current Social Security Bill, by the proposals recently announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Home Office to make court orders more effective, and by giving greater emphasis to work in DSS offices on recovering maintenance. A wide-ranging review is in progress, with the aim of making proposals for reform later this year.

38. Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress he has made towards securing greater recovery of the costs of child support from divorced and separated fathers.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The amount of maintenance recovered from absent parents in respect of their children for whom income support is claimed was £155 million in 1988–89. We have met our target of £180 million for 1989–90, and we expect the sum collected to increase further to £260 million in 1990–91.

22. Mr. Hayward

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to improve the collection of maintenance for lone parents.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The Government are concerned that so few lone parents receive maintenance. We are taking action to improve the effectiveness of the present system. There are measures in the Social Security Bill and the Home Office have announced proposals on payment arrangements. Our far-reaching review of maintenance is moving forward with all urgency, examining where changes need to be made in the current system in the longer term.

18. Mr. Oppenheim

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to announce proposals resulting from his review of the maintenance system; and if he will make a statement.

23. Mr. Roger King

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to announce proposals resulting from his review of the maintenance system; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Howell).