§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of appeals relating to the right to or amount of supplementary benefit, in the last period of 12 months for which
28Wthe area, and population of the area, which they serve.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThe information is as follows:
figures are available, was decided in favour of the appellant, respectively, in England and Wales and in each region.
§ Mr. Alec JonesFollowing is the information for the 12 months ending 31st December 1974: England, 18.7 per cent.; Wales, 16.7 per cent.
The figures for each region are:
per cent. Northern 19.7 Yorks and Humberside 19.0 E Mids/E Anglia 20.0 London North 23.6 London South 16.8 London West 19.8 South Western 24.5 W. Midlands 17.0 NW (Manchester) 13.0 NW (Merseyside) 16.1
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Service how many applicants before supplementary benefit appeal tribunals, in the latest period of 12 29W months, were unrepresented, represented by solicitors, by social or welfare workers, by friends or relatives, and by claimants' unions, trade unions or voluntary organisations, respectively; in respect of each category how many appellants failed themselves to attend the hearing; and in how many cases a decision was given in the appellant's favour among those, respectively, who did and did not personally attend.
§ Mr. Alec JonesI shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.