§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many cases assessments for child support have been suspended because the absent partner is habitually resident in another EU country; in how many of such cases the absent partner retains a material connection with the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [115083]
§ 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 Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Boswell, dated 3 June 2003:
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.You ask in how many cases assessments for child support have been suspended because the absent partner is habitually resident in another EU country; in how many of such cases the absent partner retains a material connection with the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.I do not have the information to answer this fully. I do however have some relevant information in relation to non-resident parents whose cases were suspended as they were living abroad. As at 31st March there were 480 cases suspended. I am unable to determine how many of those cases retained a material connection with the United Kingdom, as we do not collect this information.