§ Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that permanent civil servants are being appointed to act as lay members of Pensions Appeals Tribunals, England and Wales; and whether he is satisfied that such appointments are in the public interest.
The Attorney-GeneralI am aware that there are at present two lay members of the Pensions Appeals Tribunals, in the ex-Servicemen's other ranks class, who are also permanent civil servants. These two members only sit occasionally when their services are required in an emergency due to illness or other similar reason, and where an adjournment of the sittings might cause hardship to the appellants. The question whether this practice ought to be abandoned on grounds of principle is at present under consideration by my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor.