§ 45. Mr. Archerasked the Minister of Social Security how many appellants appearing before local tribunals under the National Insurance Act, 1965, and appeal tribunals under the National Assistance Act, 1948, respectively, in 1966, were legally represented.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Social Security (Mr. Norman Pentland)I regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. ArcherAre not appellants to these tribunals usually among the least articulate and might not the tribunals, therefore, be assisted in doing justice if some means were found of making such legal assistance available?
§ Mr. PentlandEver since the introduction of the present scheme we have endeavoured to avoid an atmosphere of litigation and to foster an informal approach at these tribunal hearings. We think that the tribunal chairmen are well qualified to assist and advise claimants on any legal aspects which may arise.