HC Deb 09 February 1953 vol 511 cc5-7
6. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of National Insurance how far his regulations contain instructions against, or impediments to, the appointment of a blind person to the appeal tribunals for which he is responsible, solely on the grounds that such a person is blind.

Mr. Peake

Following a recommendation in the Report of the Royal Commission on Justices of the Peace (1946–48), it was decided not to appoint blind persons to these tribunals.

Mr. Beswick

While appreciating the origin of this matter and the fact that it is in no sense a party matter, may I ask whether there will not be widespread public indignation if the public know that this disability is extended to appeals tribunals? Es it not intolerable that we should attempt to make second-grade citizens of human beings who have the same intelligence and judgment as any hon. Member of this House?

Mr. Peake

I think that in a matter of this kind it is right that I should be guided by the recommendations of the Royal Commission and by the action taken upon it by the Lord Chancellor so far as the appointment of magistrates is concerned. One must bear in mind that it is the interests of the appellants and the people who appear before these tribunals which must have our primary consideration.

Captain Ryder

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider this matter? Surely the test to be applied should be whether a man's sense of judgment has been impaired and not so much whether he is blind or not.

Mr. Peake

The really important thing is that the people who appear before these tribunals and appeal to them should have complete confidence in them.

Mr. M. Stewart

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there are many sightless people who do public work, for example, on local authorities, and often do it as well as those who are fortunately gifted with sight? Would the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter again?

Mr. Peake

I entirely agree with what has been said by the hon. Gentleman, and on my local advisory committees I am pleased to have the services of a number of blind persons; but they are tribunals of a different character, not performing judicial functions.

Mr. Beswick

Ought not the Minister to make it clear that these tribunals have three people serving upon them and that it is only a matter of one blind person out of the three? May I add that in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall endeavour to raise this matter on the Adjournment?