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Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
The Earl of Haddington asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the annual report of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland for the year 1996-97.[HL2735]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel): I refer the noble Lord to my Written Answer on 1 April 1998 (WA 35), when I confirmed that arrangements had been made for a copy of the annual report of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland to be placed in the Library of the House.
Child Support
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they believe the decision taken in 1991 to assess child support separately from spousal maintenance has been a success.[HL2492]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham): The Government believe that all children have the right to the financial and emotional support of both their parents, wherever they live and whether or
not they are married. The court approach of combining child and spousal maintenance was seen to be failing children. The amount of maintenance awarded by the courts varied widely for fathers in very similar circumstances. At the same levels of income a quarter of non-resident parents with one child to support paid less than £12 while a quarter paid more than £22. With three children and the same income, a quarter of fathers paid less than £15 per week while a quarter paid more than £40 per week.We therefore agreed with the decision to introduce separate arrangements for child maintenance in 1993. In practice, however, the current child support scheme has failed to provide children with the regular help they need.
That is why we have reviewed all aspects of the current arrangements. Our proposals for reform are set out in the Green Paper Children First--a new approach to child support (Cm 3992) which my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Security presented to Parliament on 6 July.
Manchester: CommonwealthGames Stadium
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What, if any, help they will be giving the City of Manchester to close the funding gap in relation to the stadium venue for the Commonwealth Games of 2002; and whether, and if so when, they will be discussing the funding of the games with civic leaders.[HL2630]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Government are working closely with the City of Manchester and
significant public funding is already involved: the English Sports Council has committed £112 million in National Lottery funding towards the costs of staging the 2002 Commonwealth Games. What has yet to be agreed is the type and capacity of stadium. These issues, including a funding shortfall, are currently under consideration. The Government have to think very carefully about committing further public money.Asylum System: Inter-departmental Study
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- On what date they received the findings of the inter-departmental study on all aspects of the asylum system, and why they have not yet announced their findings.[HL2706]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn): The findings of this study were received on 6 April. We have been considering these carefully in the context of our wide-ranging review of immigration and asylum policy. We hope soon to be able to make a full statement about our future strategy.
Privy Council Office: Reviews
Baroness Maddock asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many of the reviews currently being undertaken by the Privy Council Office will be published during the parliamentary summer recess.[HL2785]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Richard): No reviews are currently being undertaken by the Privy Council Office.
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