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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Mildred Gordon (Labour), on Wednesday, 3 February 1993, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 154 members in total.

CHILD SUPPORT ACT 1991

That this House deplores the fact that there is already evidence of DSS intimidation of single mothers on income support to pressurise them to give the name, whereabouts and sometimes photographs, of the father of their child and that this becomes legal on 5th April via the Child Support Act 1991; considers this Act is the most draconian and Dickensian piece of social legislation for decades; notes that the recently issued Policy Guidelines on the Requirement to Co-operate will discourage many women from claiming their rightful benefit; notes that these guidelines, which require the revelation of the most intimate personal details, are likely in many cases to place women and children at considerable personal risk, but that the Department of Social Security takes no responsibility for any resulting injury or distress; notes that the guidelines repeatedly invalidate fearful situations as not normally cause for waiving the requirement to co-operate on grounds of harm and undue distress and that refusal to co-operate will incur a fine of ??8. 80 per week; and considers the main purpose of this malevolent Act is to reduce the number of families entitled to claim income support and consequent passported benefits.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

CHILD SUPPORT ACT 1991 (1313A1)
The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Marion Roe (primary, Conservative) and tabled on Wednesday, 10 March 1993. It has been signed by 25 members in total.
leave out from 'House' to end and add 'welcomes the introduction of the Child Support Act 1991 which reaffirms children's rights, wherever possible, to be supported by their parents; joins organisations such as the National Council for One Parent Families,the Child Poverty Action Group, and the Citizen's Advice Bureaux in welcoming the publication of guidelines of the requirement to co-operate, which reassures parents with the care of children that attempts to pursue maintenance will not take place if any harm or undue distress would result to them or any child living with them; notes that the Child Support Bill 1991 was not opposed at third reading; further notes that speaking for Labour's front bench the honourable Member for Newcastle under Lyme said in committee on 2nd December 1992 "The Labour Party supports the paying of maintenance for children by their fathers, There can be no question about it and anyone who thinks otherwise is not listening to the official voice of the Labour Party"; contrasts this with many Labour backbenchers who are saying otherwise; and calls on the Labour Party to end their confused and equivocal position on supporting the responsibilities of parents and the rights of children.'.

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
1313 
1313A1 
Session
1992-93
Subjects
Income support Fathers
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk