§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases were dealt with by the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years in(a) Leeds Metropolitan District and (b) the Leeds, West constituency. [116010]
§ 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 Doug Smith to Mr. John Battle of 13 June 12003:
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 how many cases were dealt with by the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years in (a) Leeds Metropolitan District and (b) the Leeds West Constituency.I am unable to provide you with figures relating to the number of cases dealt with by the Agency in Leeds. I can however estimate the number of new applications received in the last four years to 31 March 2002.
Year to 31 March Leeds Metropolitan Leeds West 1999 2,000 300 2000 1,700 200 2001 1,000 100 2002 1,000 200 I do not have the figures for the year ending 31 March 2003. I will ensure that you are provided with this information as soon as it becomes available.
§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what methods are employed by the Child Support Agency to recover arrears of child maintenance by absent self-employed parents. [118029]
§ 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 Doug Smith to Mr. Huw Edwards of 13 June 2003:
92WThe Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive replyfrom the Chief Executive.You ask what methods are employed by the Child Support Agency to recover arrears of child maintenance by absent self-employed parents.In these circumstances the non resident parent will be approached by a caseworker who will seek to reach an agreement on payment which is acceptable to all parties. If that does not prove possible the caseworker will make a decision on the most appropriate payment arrangement having regard to all relevant facts and will seek the agreement of the non resident parent to that. If that is not agreed the Agency may apply to the Magistrates Court for a Liability Order, which is required before we can take any formal enforcement proceedings.If the Court has granted a Liability Order, we may then try to recover the debt by one or more of the following actions:
- (a) Levying of distress involving the use of Bailiffs
- (b) Establishing a third party debt order—allowing money owed to the debtor to be frozen and sent to us to cover the outstanding debt
- (c) Establishing a charging order- registering the debt against certain assets owned by the debtor
- (d) Registering a County Court judgement, which may affect the debtors creditrating
- (e) Applying for a warrant to commit the debtor to prison or for an order preventing them from holding or obtaining a driving licence.
The position I describe applies to England and Wales with a different but broadly similar approach in Scotland.
§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what enforcement action is being taken against Graham Edward Morris in respect of maintenance arrears due to Deidre Hilder, a constituent. [118072]
§ 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 Doug Smith to Mr. Huw Edwards, dated 13 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 what enforcement action is being taken against Graham Edward Morris in respect of maintenance arrears due to Deidre Milder a constituent.As individual cases are confidential I will write to you privately concerning Mr Morris.
§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will recommend to the Child Support Agency that an advance payment is made to Deidre Hilder in respect of arrears due to her. [118073]
§ 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 Doug Smith to Mr. Huw Edwards, dated 13 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 if he will recommend to the Child Support Agency that an advance payment is made to Deidre Milder in respect of arrears due to her.As individual cases are confidential I will write to you privately concerning Deidre Milder.