To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment she has made of the merits of bringing forward legislation to make unpaid child maintenance arrears a priority charge in respect of compensation paid to the non-resident parent with such arrears; and if she will make a statement. (278256)

[holding answer 8 June 2009]: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is currently considering whether the new powers set out in the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Act 2008 to impose a lump sum deduction orders will enable the commission to intercept amounts accruing or due to the non resident parent.