HC Deb 03 December 1956 vol 561 cc861-2
13. Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why the Kilmarnock Unemployment Insurance Appeal Tribunal, after reversing, at its meeting on 17th May, 1956, an original decision made in Carlisle in respect of a former employee of the Carlisle City Council, has refused to supply particulars of the reasons for their decision to the Carlisle City Council.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

This is a matter for the Tribunal, which is an independent statutory body set up under the National Insurance Acts.

Dr. Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the feeling of dissatisfaction that there is over this matter in Carlisle, particularly as the Carlisle City Council appears, by this decision, to have been criticised as an employer of labour? Should he agree that that is so, will he convey that fact to the Kilmarnock Appeal Tribunal?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I think that my hon. Friend will have gathered from my earlier Answer that, in this matter, I have no responsibility for the conduct of the Tribunal, which is an independent body set up to deal with matters in dispute between my Department and the citizen; and I should very much hesitate even to appear to interfere with its independence.