§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for changing the members of supplementary benefit appeals tribunals.
§ Sir K. JosephThe three-year period of appointment of most chairmen and members expires on 30th June, 1971. The 45W only plans I have for changing the members of supplementary benefit appeals tribunals are those necessary to reflect with effect from 1st July, 1971, the reduction in the number of tribunals from 151 to 120, and their reallocation, so as to give a speedier service to appellants.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how he proposes to distribute the newly-constituted supplementary benefit appeal tribunals between regions of the United Kingdom.
§ Sir K. JosephThe proposed distribution of supplementary benefit appeal tribunals in England, Scotland and Wales from 1st July, 1971, is as follows:
Region/Country Number of Tribunals Northern 6 Yorkshire and Humberside 12 E. Midlands and E. Anglia 13 London North 8 London South 10 London West 7 South Western 12 West Midlands 6 North Western (Manchester) 5 North Western (Merseyside) 9 Scotland 18 Wales 14 Since my answer to the hon. Member on 1st December it has been found necessary to provide for one more tribunal, making a total of 120 in all.—[Vol. 807, c. 319.]