HC Deb 19 June 2000 vol 352 cc79-80W
19. Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men have been required by the Child Support Agency to take a second blood test to determine the paternity of a child.[124965]

Angela Eagle

The CSA cannot require non-resident parents to take a blood test. In cases of disputed paternity, the CSA will offer a DNA test as a means of resolving the issue, but the alleged parent is not required to take the test. Under our child support reforms, alleged parents who refuse to take a DNA test will be presumed to be the parent of the child in question and child support action will follow.

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