§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 9 March,Official Report, column 214, what factors are taken into account by the Child Support Agency when deciding not to implement a reduced benefit deduction to protect single mothers who have disabilities or children with disabilities; how many decisions of this kind have been made; and how many cases of this kind have been considered.
§ Mr. BurtThe 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 Ms Jean Corston, dated 17 March:
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the imposition of reduced benefit directions in cases where the parent with care or a child had disabilities.875WAs I explained in my reply to Ms Gordon, the Child Support Manual contains no specific instructions on this matter, although child support officers will consider the impact of such a deduction on the welfare of the children.No information is collected on whether the parent with care or any children are disabled. National figures show, however, that from 5 April 1993 to 31 January 1994, 44,600 parents with care were considered in relation to the requirement to cooperate. Of the cases so far completed, good cause was accepted in nearly 25,000; the absent parent was named in 8,900; and 330 were referred to the Benefits Agency to consider the implementation of a Reduced Benefit Direction.I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.