Child Support Agency, Bradford (Hansard, 2 July 1993)

§ Mr. Burt

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Mrs. Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Mrs. Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Max Madden, dated 30 June 1993:

As Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking on what basis the acting area manager of the Child Support Agency in Bradford warned Bradford Resource Centre that the use of the name Child Support Agency in training programme information material could constitute a breach of the copyright laws.

I have now investigated the circumstances surrounding the exchange of correspondence between the Agency's acting Area Manager in Bradford and the Bradford Resource Centre and it is clear that the member of staff concerned acted under a misapprehension and in error. The Agency's Divisional Manager responsible for the Yorkshire and Humberside region contacted Bradford Resource Centre on 14 June to apologise for the misunderstanding and I understand that matters have now been resolved to the Resource Centre's satisfaction.

The Agency in fact welcomes the interest of groups such as the Bradford Resource Centre in its work and its policy is to foster close working relationships at all levels. As part of that process Agency staff recently met staff from Bradford Resource Centre and other local groups to discuss the operation of the new child maintenance scheme; and a further meeting with Resource Centre staff is due to take place.

I am grateful for the opportunity to explain the position. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.