The Social Security Act 1998 (Commencement No. 7 and Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 1999

Amendment of Schedule 3A

21.  In Schedule 3A(1) (amount to be allowed in respect of transfers of property)—

(a)in paragraph 2(2)—

(i)for the words “a child support officer” there shall be substituted the words “the Secretary of State”; and

(ii)for the words “the officer” there shall be substituted the word “he”; and

(b)for paragraph 3 there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

“3.—(1) Where an absent parent has notified the Secretary of State that he wishes him to consider whether an amount should be allowed in respect of the relevant value of a qualifying transfer, the Secretary of State shall—

(a)give notice to the other parent of that application; and

(b)have regard in determining the application to any representations made by the other parent which are received within the period specified in sub-paragraph (2).

(2) The period specified in this sub-paragraph is one month from the date on which the notice referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(a) above was sent or such longer period as the Secretary of State is satisfied is reasonable in the circumstances of the case.”.