10. Mr. W. JOSEPH STEWARTasked the Minister of Labour the number of appeals dealt with by the appeals tribunals, under the Unemployment Assistance Board, since 7th January; and the number in which increases have been granted?
Mr. BROWNDuring the period 7th January to 30th November this year 11,486 appeals from determinations made by officers of the Board were dealt with by appeals tribunals. In 3,496 cases increased determinations were granted.
§ 28. Mr. SILVERMANasked the Minister of Labour whether he will ensure that, in future, the documents by which the Unemployment Assistance Board communicates its decision to applicants bear clearly upon the face of them a statement of the applicant's right to appeal and how that right may be exercised?
§ Mr. E. BROWNEvery person applying for an allowance is given a leaflet, B.L.18, which includes a paragraph about appeals. The form B.3z, by means of which the applicant is informed of the amount of the allowance granted by the Board, now contains on the back a notice that information with regard to facilities for appeal is given in a leaflet B.L.2z, which is obtainable at any employment exchange or area office of the Board. The same or a similar notice appears on certain other forms and it 1080 is proposed as soon as possible to include it in all cases in which it is relevant. I am sending the hon. Member copies of the form B.3z and of the leaflets.
§ Mr. SILVERMANWhile I am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the copies of documents that have been sent to me, is he aware that forms are still being issued all over the country which contain no reference to any right of appeal at all, and that the statement on the back of the form to which he refers in his answer gives no information at all as to the right of appeal, but merely states that such information may be obtained elsewhere?
§ Mr. BROWNIf the hon. Member has any leaflets which do not compare with the ones now being issued, perhaps he will let me see them?
§ Mr. SILVERMANThat is not quite what I asked.