§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will give guidance to the Child Support Agency that they should not issue assessments to members of the Armed Forces while they are on active service, and whether they will promote consultations between the Department of Social Security and the Ministry of Defence about the effect of the Child Support Act 1991 on the Armed Forces.
Viscount AstorPrior to the introduction of the Child Support Act and the launch of the Agency, officials from the Department of Social Security had extensive discussions with their counterparts in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and remain in close touch. The Agency and the MoD have agreed a service level agreement which is subject to periodic review.
Under the provisions of the Child Support Act, the Child Support Agency must issue a maintenance assessment form to the absent parent as soon as is reasonably practicable: this would not allow deferral of issue because of a person's occupation. Since liability begins once the maintenance enquiry form is issued or, in the case of those with a pre-existing court order, two days after the making of the assessment, deferring notifying the absent parent of the final assessment would result in a build-up of arrears.
If a maintenance enquiry form is not returned within the 14-day limit, the Child Support Officer has to decide if it is appropriate to impose an interim maintenance assessment (IMA). If he is aware that the absent parent is abroad, particularly if he is on active service, this will be taken into account and a longer (but not indefinite) period will be allowed for reply before an IMA is imposed.