§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation to provide for indexing of maintenance payments in divorce proceedings to the retail price index.
Mr. Patten[pursuant to the Attorney-General's answer, 2 February 1990, c. 400]: Our review of the wider arrangements for assessing collecting and enforcing maintenance payments is still in progress. It is, however, clear that measures to improve the ability of the courts to ensure that payments ordered are received, are practicable and desirable. We accordingly intend to bring forward legislative proposals when an opportunity permits which would give the courts in England and Wales power to prescribe the method by which maintenance payments are made and to order the attachment of earnings without having to await evidence of arrears or default.