§ 31. Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made on reforming the service restrictions affecting deductions from service personnel pay to ensure that Child Support Agency deduction of earnings orders can be fully implemented. [117911]
§ Mr. SpellarThe purpose of Minimum Rates of Pay is to protect Service personnel and their families from hardship. Of the Child Support Agency maintenance awards made against Service parents, 99 per cent. are met in full. In only one in a hundred Service cases is less than the full amount of a maintenance award being paid. This contrasts with the current Child Support Agency average of only 40 per cent. of parents paying in full, with 30 per cent. paying nothing at all. Nevertheless, consideration is being given to reforming minimum Service pay regulations.