§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures are in place to ensure that an absent parent pays child maintenance; and what action is taken if they do not make the necessary payments. [74418]
§ Malcolm WicksThe 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 Mike Isaac to Mr. James Wray, dated October 2002:
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary questions about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. I am replying on his behalf.You ask what measures are in place to ensure that an absent parent pays childmaintenance; and what action is taken if they do not make the necessary payments.Where a maintenance application is actioned we will normally try to contact the non resident parent by telephone with a view to both obtaining the information that we need to make a maintenance assessment and reminding the parent of their maintenance responsibilities.If all necessary information is not provided we will follow up in writing, at interview and then by taking criminal proceedings and/ or by establishing an interim maintenance assessment.784WIf payment is not made and the non-resident parent is in employment we will usually seek to recover maintenance through the employer by a deductions from earnings order. If the non-resident parent is in receipt of certain benefits then we can make a maintenance deduction from there.If payment is not made and the non-resident parent is self-employed we will seek a liability order through the Magistrates Court to establish the debt. We can then take proceedings which could include applying for a third party debt order, a charging order, bailiff action, removal of a driving license and for committal to prison.