§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration has been given to the impact on black communities of the provisions in the Child Support Act 1991.
§ Mr. JackThe provisions of the Child Support Act 1991 will apply equally and be administered equitably in respect of all persons who are habitually resident in the United Kingdom. The Government consulted widely on the proposals in the White Paper "Children Come First" including the Commission for Racial Equality. A consultation document containing details of the proposed contents of the regulations to be made under the Act, was published on 1 November. A copy has also been sent to the Commission for Racial Equality. A full list of all the organisations being consulted was given in my reply to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) on 7 November. The Government will consider carefully all comments on the consultation document before the regulations are finalised and laid before Parliament next year.