Armed Forces (Maintenance Payments) Diana Organ To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlie the length of time taken between the deduction of maintenance payments from service personnel's wages and its subsequent payment to separated partners. [123934] Mr. Caplin When a Deduction from Earnings Request is received by Armed Forces Pay Authorities, a letter is sent to the individual with a copy of the request. This allows the individual six weeks from the date of the letter to contest the request. If no reply is received then the request is imposed, with the amounts deducted being paid to the Child Support Agency for subsequent payment to separated partners.