§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate for(a) England and (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the United Kingdom for each available year of (i) the numbers of absent parents who have been assessed by the Child Support Agency and (ii) the proportion of those who have made payments.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the Chief Executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
137WLetter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Cynog Dafis, dated 10 March 1994:
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of people assessed by the Child Support Agency, and the number of people paying child maintenance.138WTo the end of March 1994, 205,500 absent parents had been assessed by the Agency. I regret that a breakdown between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is not available.With regard to how many absent parents are paying, the Child Support Computer System records client's details on an individual case by case basis, and it is not currently configured to produce information on the total number of absent parents paying maintenance.I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.