The Secretary of State responded in the Official Report , at column 106W, by referring me to the reply that he gave the hon. I looked at that column, and the answer had absolutely nothing to do with the questions that I had asked. I stress to the right hon. Lady that I have no professional interest in this case but, as a parliamentarian, I have an interest in the proper accountability of Ministers for the spending of public money. He is right to say that all hon.
Members take an interest in accountability and the use of public money.
However, as no public money has yet been expended, I do not think that his point is very strong. My right hon. Friend will know that about 20 million people will be hanging on tonight's news about who shot Phil Mitchell, but probably not many fewer people would be willing to do the same job on the Child Support Agency. I have never supported men who do not offer proper support to the children whom they produce, but it is important that the House have a debate on the extent to which we continue to fail miserably the women who get no support from their former partners. Column 509 pursued and persecuted because of cock-ups in the agency.