HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc235-7W
Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when current customers of the Child Support Agency will enter the new scheme starting in April; and what plans he has for the implementation of the new plan for existing customers. [45342]

Malcolm Wicks

I refer the hon. Member to the Statement made to this House by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 20 March 2002,Official Report,columns 315–16. Existing cases will be transferred when the new system has been introduced and we are sure it is working well.

Sandra Gidley

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what gender impact assessment was carried out prior to changes being made to arrangements for child maintenance payments; and if he will place a copy of that assessment in the Library. [44403]

Malcolm Wicks

[holding answer 20 March 2002]:Under the legislation, each non-resident parent and each parent with care is treated in the same manner, irrespective of the sex of the individual. The purpose of the reforms to the child support system is to ensure an increase in the amount of support for children, irrespective of their gender.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he estimates the PSA target for the introduction of the reformed child support scheme for new cases will be met on time. [46102]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 20 March 2002,Official Report,columns 315–16.

Mr. Andrew Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disqualification orders have been made since the provision came into effect; and how many prosecutions have been mounted for information offences since their introduction. [44431]

Malcolm Wicks

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Mitchell, dated 9 April 2002: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply by me. You ask how many disqualification orders have been made since the provision came into effect; and how many prosecutions have been mounted for information offences since their introduction. Our aim is to encourage parents to support their children. In the majority of cases our demonstrated intention to take a case to court has been sufficient to encourage the non-resident parent to make arrangements to pay maintenance. In two cases the court has granted an order to suspend a driving licence but suspended the application of the order to permit the non-resident parent to comply with his liability. In both cases the non-resident parent is now making regular payments. In a third case a driving licence was ordered to be withdrawn for six months, as the non-resident parent had been given the opportunity to pay his maintenance liability but failed to do so. There have been no prosecutions and therefore no convictions made under the criminal offence of non-co-operation with the Child Support Agency. The deterrent effect of a criminal sanction for failing to provide information when requested is an important element of the new system. We strongly encourage parents to co-operate voluntarily with requests for information by contacting customers by telephone, letter and interview, and where necessary making them aware of this penalty before referring the case for consideration of prosecution. I hope this is helpful.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his oral statement of 20 March, if lone parents receiving income support who start to receive child maintenance after April 2002 will qualify for a maintenance disregard; and what plans he has to compensate those who will not qualify because of the delay in implementing the new CSA computer system. [45919]

Malcolm Wicks

[holding answer 25 March 2002]:The child maintenance premium is an integral feature of the new child support scheme. Cases assessed under the current rules do not have entitlement to the premium. They accrue, depending on the amount of maintenance paid, a potential entitlement to child maintenance bonus. No question of compensation arises.

Vernon Coaker

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to transfer existing CSA clients to the new system; and if he will make a statement. [35375]

Malcolm Wicks

I refer my hon. Friend to the Statement made to this House by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 20 March 2002,Official Report,column 315–16.

Mark Tami

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements will apply to new clients of the child support system after April. [39896]

Malcolm Wicks

I refer my hon. Friend to the Statement made to this House by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 20 March 2002,Official Report,column 315–16.

Mr. Andrew Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of the enhanced enforcement powers for child support. [44437]

Malcolm Wicks

The new powers, in sections 13 (information—offences) and 16 (commitment to prison and disqualification from driving), are intended to help the Child Support Agency to secure compliance. Their success is in the extent to which non-resident parents co-operate with the Agency.

In the majority of the cases that the Agency has taken to court, the non-resident parent has been encouraged to make arrangements to pay maintenance. There have been no prosecutions and therefore no convictions made under the criminal offence of non-cooperation with the Child Support Agency. The deterrent effect of a criminal sanction for failing to provide information when requested is an important element of the new system.