§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many appellants were awaiting personal hearings before the national insurance commissioners at the most recent convenient date; and how this compares with the position in each of the past five years;
(2) what is the current average waiting time for an appeal hearing before the national insurance commissioners; and how this compares with the position over each of the past five years.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe following table shows, for each of the years 1975 to 1980 and as at 13 February, the average waiting period for an appeal to be determined by the social security commissioners—as they were renamed under the Social Security Act 1980—and the number of persons awaiting the determination of their cases:
Year Average Waiting Period (months) Cases Awaiting Determination 1975 5 1,046 1976 7½ 1,206 1977 8 1,896 1978 18 3,174 1979 16 3,327 1980 15 2,954 1981 (February) 15 2,861