17.—(1) A financial commitment entered into by an absent parent before 5th April 1993, except any commitment of a kind listed in paragraph (2)(b) to (g) and (j) of regulation 16 or which has been wholly or partly taken into account in the calculation of a maintenance assessment shall constitute expenses for the purposes of paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 4B to the Act where—
(a)there was in force on 5th April 1993 and at the date that commitment was entered into, a court order or maintenance agreement made before 5th April 1993 in respect of that absent parent and every child in respect of whom, before that date, he was, or was found, or adjudged to be, the parent; and
(b)the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is impossible for the absent parent to withdraw from that commitment or unreasonable to expect him to do so.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)—
(a)“court order” means an order made under the enactments listed in or prescribed under section 8(11) of the Act, for the making or securing the making of financial provision for the benefit of a child in respect of whom the current assessment was made;
(b)“maintenance agreement” means an agreement in writing for the making or securing the making of financial provision for the benefit of a child in respect of whom the current assessment was made.