§ 32. Mr. Wyattasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many appeals there have been hi Birmingham against decisions of the National Insurance officer; and how many of them have been successful.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. R. H. Turton)Out of 7,514 appeals dealt with since July, 1948, by the Birmingham Tribunal, which covers certain areas outside Birmingham, 2,140 were successful.
§ Mr. WyattIs the Minister aware that this is a very small proportion of successful cases and that there is a good deal of discontent in Birmingham because appellants are not being given a square deal in the conduct of these appeals?
§ Mr. TurtonThis average is in conformity with the national average, which, last year, was 31 per cent., the year before 30.5 per cent., and the year before that 30.8 per cent.
§ 33. Mr. Wyattasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why, in the case of appeals against decisions made by the National Insurance officer, the officer who made the original decision is not available to be examined by the appellant.
§ Mr. TurtonIn giving a decision on a claim, an insurance officer is acting as an independent statutory authority. In the circumstances, it would be most unusual for the appeal tribunal on hearing an appeal to permit him to be examined by the appellant.
§ Mr. WyattIs this not an example of the unsatisfactory nature of these appeals? How can the appellant get to the bottom of the reasons why his original application was turned down if he is not allowed to cross-examine the officials who made that decision?
§ Mr. TurtonAn appeal is a rehearing of the case. To my knowledge, no other appellate tribunal in this country allows the preceding judicial authority to be cross-examined by a party.
§ Mr. WyattSurely the official is not a judicial authority but an official acting under the authority of the Minister.
§ Mr. TurtonThat is not correct; he is an independent statutory authority.