56Desertion by pensioner of wife or children

56 Desertion by pensioner of wife or children

(1) Where a pensioner deserts his wife or leaves her without means of support, the wife may, from time to time, apply to a court of summary jurisdiction and, on proof that the wife has been deserted or left without means of support, the court may order the payment to the wife, during such period as it thinks fit, of the whole or part of the pension which otherwise would be payable to the pensioner. (2) Where a pensioner whose wife is dead or divorced deserts any of his children who are dependent on him, or leaves them without means of support, the guardian of the children, or CSC, may, from time to time, apply to a court of summary jurisdiction and, on proof that any child of the pensioner who is dependent on him has been deserted or left without means of support, the court may order the payment to the guardian of the child, during such period as it thinks fit, of the whole or part of the pension which otherwise would be payable to the pensioner. (3) CSC shall comply with any order made under this section and the amount of the pension payable to the pensioner shall be reduced by the amount payable in pursuance of the order. (4) In this section, pension means a pension payable under this Act.