HC Deb 27 January 1994 vol 236 cc364-5W
Mr. Ingram

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support recipients have been subject to a benefit penalty as a result of awards made by the Child Support Agency since April 1993.

Mr. Burt

A reduced benefit direction is issued by a child support officer to the Benefits Agency only where a parent with care has refused to co-operate in pursuing child support maintenance without good cause.

The Child Support Agency issued 81 reduced benefit directions in the period 5 April 1993 to 30 November 1993. These include parents with care on income support, family credit, and disability working allowance. Separate figures for income support are not available.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if instructions have been given to officials of the Child Support Agency on requests from community groups for a speaker to address public meetings and answer questions from the audience.

Mr. Burt

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mrs. Maria Fyfe, dated 27 January 1994. I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security on whether instructions have been given to Child Support Agency staff in respect of the provision of speakers for public meetings. No general instructions have been issued about the provision of speakers for meetings. Since the formation of the Agency, it has been a function of Agency Customer Services Managers to provide help and information to organisations and groups representing our clients. Liaison with many such organisations is now extensive, and requests for speakers at meetings are considered locally. I hope you find this reply helpful.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford will receive a reply from the chief executive of the Child Support Agency to her letters concerning(a) B. Lawrence, (b) P. Bennett, (c) C. S. Chaplin, (d) A. Hawkins, (e) M. Smith and (f) T. Rickward; and what is the reason for the delay.

Mr. Burt

Recent press interest has stimulated a great deal of correspondence from constituents and the necessary steps are being taken to ensure that correspondence from hon. Members will be answered as promptly as possible. I am sorry that the responses have been slower than usual from this Department. However, I replied to the hon. Member concerning Mr. M. Smith on 25 January, and Mr. B. Lawrence today. The other cases are in an advanced state of preparation, and the chief executive of the Child Support Agency will reply to the hon. Lady shortly.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what instructions his Department has given the chief executive of the Child Support Agency to expedite answers to letters from hon. Members about constituents' problems on child maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Burt

All letters from hon. Members addressed to the chief executive of the Child Support Agency are acknowledged and she aims to respond within an average of 20 working days. Recent press interest has stimulated a great deal of correspondence from constituents and although that target is not being met at the moment, the necessary steps are being taken to ensure that correspondence from hon. Members will be answered as promptly as possible.