§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will promote consultations between the Department of Social Security and the Lord Chancellor's Department about the division of child benefit between the parents in cases of shared residence after divorce.
§ Lord Mackay of ArdbrecknishNo. Child benefit in respect of one child cannot be split. Where benefit is in payment in respect of more than one child the decision on whether divorced parents should each receive a part of that benefit is based on the degree of care they each exercise. Such decisions are taken by officials of the Department of Social Security on behalf of the Secretary of State. The Lord Chancellor's legislation in relation to residence after divorce has a wholly different focus.