Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Monday, 25 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what percentage of separation and divorce cases involving children aged under 16 years were resolved without a court hearing during (a) 2001-02 and (b) 2002-03. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of separation and divorce cases involving children aged under 16 years were resolved without a court hearing during (a) 2001-02 and (b) 2002-03. [194216] Margaret Hodge: Statistics are not available to show the percentage of separation and divorce cases involving children aged under 16 years that were resolved without a court hearing during (a) 2001-02 and (b) 2002-03. The Office for National Statistics publication, Population Trends, shows that the numbers of divorcing couples with children under 16 were 79,277 in 2001; 80,997 in 2002 and 83,809 in 2003. However, there is no corresponding data for cohabiting couples who separate, nor is there any information about the ending of relationships of unmarried parents who are not cohabiting.

Secondary information