§ 36. Mr. STEPHENasked the Minister of Pensions the number of appeals to the entitlement and asessment appeals tribunals that have been made since those tribunals were set up; the number of such appeals last year; and the number of cases last year and this year in which an appeal has been ruled out because the applicant failed to lodge his or her appeal within the time allowed under the present regulations?
§ Major TRYONThe aggregate number of appeals which have been made to the Independent Appeal Tribunals on all issues up to the present date is 334,700, of which 55,800 were made in the calendar year 1924. Some 5,000 cases were rejected on the ground stated, the appellant having failed to show that he was prevented by circumstances over which he had no control from making appeal within the twelve months.
§ Mr. STEPHENAm I to understand that 5,000 cases have been ruled out in the last year on account of the time?
§ Major TRYONNo, Sir. It is 5,000 altogether, of which, I understand, 3,000 took place last year, when the hon. Members party were in office.
§ Mr. STEPHENIn view of the large number that have been ruled out, will not the Minister consider the question of bringing forward a new regulation to allow these people to have their cases reconsidered?
§ Major TRYONI am afraid that would be incompatible with the system of stabilised pensions which is proving of so great an advantage to many pensioners.