Clause 6
Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill
10:30 am
Michael Weir (Spokesperson (Energy; Work and Pensions; Trade & Industry); Angus, Scottish National Party)
I am following the hon. Gentleman’s argument with interest. I am mostly in agreement with him, but I am concerned that the amendment might put pressure on people to enter a voluntary agreement that may not necessarily be in their interests if fee charging is allowed and they fail to enter a voluntary arrangement. I accept his argument when people reach the stage at which they fail to honour their obligations, but I am worried that such a proposal might become a problem at an earlier stage by forcing them into voluntary agreements that are not necessarily in the interests of one party.