HC Deb 24 July 1967 vol 751 cc4-5W
Mr. Fowler

asked the Minister of Social Security how many cases concerning sickness or industrial injury benefit have been heard by medical appeal tribunals in each year from 1960 to 1966, inclusive; and how many of these cases in each year were decided in favour of the applicant.

Mr. Loughlin

Appeals concerning sickness benefit are dealt with by National Insurance local tribunals and the Commissioner.

Industrial Injuries Medical Appeal Tribunals deal with appeals against decisions of medical boards on disablement, diagnosis and recrudescence questions and references by the Minister of such decisions. The information requested is given in the following tables:—

1. DISABLEMENT BENEFIT—DISABLEMENT QUESTIONS
Year Number of cases* Decisions favourable to claimant
1960 19,775 7,063
1961 19,820 6,796
1962 20,630 6,899
1963 19,486 6,970
1964 19,983 6,668
1965 20,661 6,362
1966 20,392 6,476
*Includes accidents and prescribed diseases and both appeals by claimants and references by direction of the Minister.

2. INJURY BENEFIT AND DISABLEMENT BENEFIT—DIAGNOSIS AND RECRUDESCENCE QUESTIONS (PRESCRIBED DISEASES)
Appeals by claimants References by direction of the Minister
Year Appeals Medical Board decisions reversed References Medical Board decisions upheld
1960 472 150 119 63
1961 465 144 127 65
1962 497 168 204 102
1963 454 132 176 94
1964 446 133 189 100
1965 472 145 216 90
1966 460 145 188 89

Mr. Fowler

asked the Minister of Social Security how many medical appeal tribunals exist to hear appeals concerning industrial injury or sickness benefit.

Mr. Loughlin

There are 14 Industrial Injuries Medical Appeal Tribunals in Great Britain. They deal with appeals against decisions of medical boards on disablement, diagnosis and recrudescence questions and references by the Minister of such decisions. Appeals concerning sickness benefit are dealt with by National Insurance local tribunals and the Commissioner.