Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what processes are in place to ensure that an individual who is serving in the armed forces is aware that the Child Maintenance Service is investigating a case relating to them; and if she will make a statement.

After an initial application is received Child maintenance Group (CMG) will attempt to locate the non-resident parent (NRP). If they are in the Armed Forces a phone call will be made and a letter will be sent to where they are based informing them that they have been named in a case and asking them to contact CMG. Only if CMG receives no cooperation or contact from the NRP will a Deduction from Earnings Request (DER) be considered. If CMG know that the NRP is in the Armed Forces, CMG will contact the Armed Forces Liaison Officer to check whether the non-resident parent is on active service. If the NRP is on active service and NOT in a warzone a DER will be issued. If the NRP is in a warzone, collection action is suspended, DER action halted and the case is reviewed every 3 months. All DER requests are sent to a central MoD address.