§ 37. Mr. T. Charles Pannellasked the Minister of National Insurance why Mr. G. Haggen, of Leeds, was relieved of the chairmanship of the Leeds Local Appeal Tribunal; and, in view of the wide publicity given to this case, if he will hold an inquiry.
§ Mr. PeakeMr. Haggen was not dismissed. He was appointed for a term of years and his period of office expired in the normal way. He was not reappointed by my predecessor because he refused in certain types of case to apply the law as interpreted by the National Insurance Commissioner. I agree with the view taken by the right hon. Lady the Member for Fulham, West (Dr. Summerskill) and see no grounds for any inquiry.
§ Mr. PannellIn view of the wide publicity given to this case in the city which the Minister and I represent, together with his hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-West (Mr. Kaberry) who has a further Question on the Order Paper, and the allegation made by this gentleman that there was a gross attempt made to interfere with his independence in a judicial capacity, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will think again and, in any case, whether he will accept a full statement which has been sent to me by the chairman concerned? Further—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] This is important.
Further, will the Minister tell me whether his Department has sent to other 19 Ministries information about this case which has resulted in Mr. Haggen being dismissed also from many other tribunals, which positions he has held with credit to himself for over 20 years?
§ Mr. PeakeI am not accepting any responsibility for the publicity which this case has received. Whilst I have a high personal regard for Mr. Haggen, I am sorry that he should have publicised the matter in this way. Hon. Members will appreciate that our system of adjudication in these cases depends upon local appeal tribunals loyally conforming to the rulings of the Court of Appeal, which is the Insurance Commissioner.