HC Deb 10 June 1975 vol 893 cc216-7
2. Mr. Robin F. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will discuss the operation of the supplementary benefits appeal tribunals with the Supplementary Benefits Commission.

43. Mr. Wellbeloved

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will discuss with the Supplementary Benefits Commission the operation of the supplementary appeals tribunal.

The Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Mr. Brian O'Malley)

As my hon. Friends know, we hope shortly to receive Professor Bell's report on the operation of these tribunals, and it will, of course, be helpful in considering any suggested changes in the system to know the views of the Supplementary Benefits Commission on aspects which concern it.

Mr. Cook

Has my right hon. Friend received a copy of the report published the other day by the Child Poverty Action Group on its experience of taking complaints to the Council on Tribunals? If he has, will he agree that the quite appalling picture of delay and ineffectual follow-up which emerges in the report greatly strengthens the case for adding a further tier of independent adjudication to the present system?

Mr. O'Malley

I am aware of the document to which my hon. Friend has referred. It is best that we should consider all those matters in the context of the report which we expect to receive from Professor Bell on this subject.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Although I accept the Minister's claim that the supplementary benefit tribunals act in a very fair way, may I none the less ask him not to wait for the Bell Report before dealing with the very important matter of speeding up hearings before the appeal tribunals as this is a cause of considerable concern among a large number of claimants?

Mr. O'Malley

Any delays are of concern both to claimants and to my Department. It is essential that we should keep the length of waiting before a matter is considered as brief as possible. However, we expect to receive Professor Bell's report in the near future. In my view, it would be sensible to make a full examination of all these matters when we have received that report.