HL Deb 20 March 1996 vol 570 cc101-2WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their Written Answer of 31st January (H.L. Deb., WA 112) what criteria they used in deciding that the cost of discussing the average cost per case of collecting maintenance from absent parents on Income Support was disproportionate.

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

Detailed analysis would be required to provide the information requested. The cost of such analysis would exceed £470.00, which is the guideline for preparing written answers.

Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their Written Answer of 31st January (H.L. Deb., WA 112), since they do not know the average cost per case of collecting child maintenance from absent parents on Income Support, how they can decide whether the policy of collecting those sums is in the interests of the taxpayer.

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

The collection of child maintenance from absent parents on Income Support is only one element of the child support scheme, which, taken as a whole, is proving to he very cost effective. It is important that, where they are able to, absent parents on Income Support should get into the habit of paying maintenance, or not break the habit if they were previously paying. Many will not stay on Income Support indefinitely.