§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the level, duration and position in the hierarchy of deductions of the benefit sanction for mothers who refuse to co-operate with the Child Support Agency.
§ Mr. JackThe level and duration of the reduction in the personal benefit of the parent with care who declines 847W without a good reason to comply with clause 6 of the Child Support Bill were announced in Committee. They have been discussed in subsequent stages in both Houses. Since then I have received representations from two organisations on this aspect. It is important to remember that the question of reducing benefit arises only where there are no reasonable grounds to believe that action on maintenance would cause harm or undue distress to the parent or her children. I should point out that as a reduction not a deduction the question of fitting into the hierarchy of deductions does not arise. The decision to make a reduction will be made only after the parent has had two separate opportunities to consider her position and explain her reasons and two different people have considered the case. The benefit reduction is therefore intended very much as a measure of last resort.