Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Monday, 13 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 December 2004. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Monday, 20 December 2004 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Dept for Constitutional Affairs

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what criteria have to be satisfied by a parent without care, where there is a failure of the parent with care to comply with the terms of a contact order, in order to qualify for legal aid; and what other forms of support the Department offers to such people.

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what criteria have to be satisfied by a parent without care, where there is a failure of the parent with care to comply with the terms of a contact order, in order to qualify for legal aid; and what other forms of support the Department offers to such people. [205361] Mr. Lammy: Legal aid is available for private law children cases, including contact disputes, subject to statutory tests of the applicant's financial means and the merits of the case. The means and merits tests apply to both parents with and without care. The Government published a Consultation Paper; `Parental Separation: Children's Needs and Parents' Responsibilities' on 21 July 2004. It sets out a range of proposals designed to improve the help and support available to parents who are separated. The Government are now considering the responses received. The Government have already made clear their intention to bring forward new primary legislation to provide new powers to improve the facilitation and enforcement of contact orders.

Secondary information