(1)Where the Secretary of State is arranging for the collection of any payments under section 29 or subsection (2), he may also arrange for the collection of any periodical payments, or secured periodical payments, of a prescribed kind which are payable to or for the benefit of any person who falls within a prescribed category.
(2)The Secretary of State may arrange for the collection of any periodical payments or secured periodical payments of a prescribed kind which are payable for the benefit of a child even though he is not arranging for the collection of child support maintenance with respect to that child.
(3)Where—
(a)the Secretary of State is arranging, under this Act, for the collection of different payments (“the payments”) from the same absent parent;
(b)an amount is collected by the Secretary of State from the absent parent which is less than the total amount due in respect of the payments; and
(c)the absent parent has not stipulated how that amount is to be allocated by the Secretary of State as between the payments,
the Secretary of State may allocate that amount as he sees fit.
(4)In relation to England and Wales, the Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for sections 29 and 31 to 40 to apply, with such modifications (if any) as he considers necessary or expedient, for the purpose of enabling him to enforce any obligation to pay any amount which he is authorised to collect under this section.
(5)In relation to Scotland, the Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for the purpose of enabling him to enforce any obligation to pay any amount which he is authorised to collect under this section—
(a)empowering him to bring any proceedings or take any other steps (other than diligence against earnings) which could have been brought or taken by or on behalf of the person to whom the periodical payments are payable;
(b)applying sections 29, 31 and 32 with such modifications (if any) as he considers necessary or expedient.