HC Deb 08 July 2003 vol 408 cc696-7W
Diana Organ

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the army is not required to comply with(a) deductions from earnings requests and (b) maintenance payment requests from the Child Support Agency; and for what reasons the Child Support Agency cannot make deductions from earnings orders against army personnel. [123929]

Mr. Caplin

The Ministry of Defence complies with Deduction from Earnings Requests in full, in all but exceptional cases. Such exceptions might include an appeal by the individual on the grounds of a change in circumstances, or where the deduction would breach the regulations on minimum rates of pay. Minimum rates of pay were introduced around 50 years ago as a result of experience in the second world war to ensure that Service families could meet essential financial commitments. The Army regulations allow for up to 50 per cent. deductions from pay, where there are no other children or dependants. However, in circumstances where the soldier is legally married and living with his or her spouse, or where the soldier is widowed, divorced or separated and has care of the children, or the soldier does not have care of the children but is providing voluntary financial support, there is a limit of 25 per cent. deduction on pay. The amounts deducted are paid to the Child Support Agency for maintenance payments to be made.

Service personnel were excluded from the law relating to deduction of earnings orders when the Child Support (Collection and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 were drawn up as there was already provision for deductions from Service pay under Armed Forces' legislation.

Diana Organ

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many deductions from earnings requests to the army for child maintenance payments were not agreed to in each year since 2001. [123930]

Mr. Caplin

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

Diana Organ

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change the requirements on armed forces personnel in respect of(a) child maintenance payments and (b) Child Support Agency orders; and if he will make a statement. [123932]

Mr. Caplin

The armed forces has a good record in meeting its obligations in recovering child support maintenance payments. I therefore have no plans to propose any changes.