§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many liability orders have been placed on members of the armed forces by the Child Support Agency for each month since April 1993. [618]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThe administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 20 November 1995:
I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about liability orders.
67WNo data on the number of liability orders granted during 1993–94 are available. It is unlikely that there will have been many during this period as few cases would have progressed to this stage from the start of the Agency.
A total of 226 liability orders were granted during 1994–95. From April 1995, a monthly breakdown is available, and this is shown in the table attached.
It is not possible to say how many of these liability orders have been granted against members of the armed forces—or any other employment group—as there is no business need for the Agency to collect this information. However, the vast majority of liability orders are directed towards the self employed, because non-compliant absent parents who are employees would normally be subject to deduction from earnings orders; nearly all members of the armed forces are employees.
Liability orders granted 1995–96—Year to date Month Liability orders granted April 63 May 125 June 115 July 108 August 153 September 134 Total 698