§ 75. Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to extend the right of oral hearings in appeal cases heard by the National Insurance Commissioner, in particular to give an automatic right when medical evidence from different practitioners conflicts.
§ Mr. DeanNo. The decision whether or not to grant an application for an oral hearing is one for the National Insurance Commissioners who consider the record of the case and the reasons put forward for oral hearing before deciding. The request is considered judicially by the commissioners and we consider it right that the decision should rest with them.