§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the questions that are required to be answered by single parents wishing to obtain benefit from his Department's Child Support Agency; and if he will send to the hon. Member for Don Valley a copy of the questionnaire and the guidance notes issued to his officers at his agency.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
195WLetter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1993:
As Chief Executive to 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 about the questions required to be answered by single parents wishing to obtain benefit from the Child Support Agency and the questionnaire and the guidance notes issued to officers of the Agency.Clients who use the Agency's services are asked to complete a Maintenance Application Form (MAF) giving details of their circumstances. There are three versions of this form; one for those clients in receipt of Income Support, one for those not in receipt of Income Support and one for children in Scotland. In addition to the initial questions asked on the MAF further questions may be necessary depending on the individual circumstances of the case. Many factors need to be taken into account when making an assessment and it is important for the Agency to have all the necessary information about the circumstances of both the Parent with Care and the Absent Parent to ensure that the assessment is accurate. I shall send you copies of the relevant application forms and will also place copies in the Library of the House.Guidance instructions to Agency staff are contained in the Child Support Manual and the Field Operations Guide. Copies of this Guide were placed in the House Library in April.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the House Library.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing how many current Child Support Agency assessments are(a) nil, (b) £2.20, (c) £2.21 to £9.99, (d)£10 to £19.99, (e) £20 to £29.99, (f) £30 to £39.99, (g) £40 to £49.99, (h) £50 to £69.99, (i) £70 to £99.99, (j) £100 to £149.99 and (k) over £150 a week.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 29 October 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational 196W matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking a number of questions about maintenance assessments.I am sorry that the information you requested is not routinely available. The number of maintenance assessments completed by the Agency to the end of September 1993 is 36,610, but the level of assessments is not broken down as requested.I am sorry not to have been more helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) whether the code of practice to be followed by the bailiffs appointed to act on behalf of the Child Support Agency will be made available to(a) the Citizens Advice Bureau and (b) other advice agencies;
(2) what steps the Child Support Agency will be taking to monitor the work of the bailiffs appointed to act on its behalf;
(3) which firm of bailiffs has been appointed by the Child Support Agency to act on its behalf in levying distraint against absent parents who have failed to pay maintenance due; and whether the firm of bailiffs appointed has an agreed code of practice.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 29 October 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 Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking a number of questions about the work of bailiffs appointed to act for the Agency.Raynor Ferrar and Co. of Iver in Buckinghamshire have been appointed as the Agency's bailiffs. The company currently operates under its own code of practice, endorsed by the Certified Bailiffs Association, but a code of practice relating specifically to the Agency's work will shortly be made publicly available and a copy will be placed in the House Library. All activity undertaken on the Agency's behalf will be closely monitored and the company will provide detailed monthly reports covering every case.I hope you will find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.