§ Mr. Wallerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he intends to introduce changes in Northern Ireland in the adjudication system for social security benefits similar to those which are being introduced in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Chris PattenYes. A copy of the Social Security Adjudications (Northern Ireland) Order 1983, which was made on 19 October 1983 and which contains provisions corresponding to the social security adjudication 341W provisions of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983, has now been laid before Parliament.
I also intend to introduce legislation at a future date to provide in Northern Ireland for a right of appeal against a decision of a medical appeal tribunal to a commissioner on a point of law. This right of appeal already exists in Great Britain and its introduction in Northern Ireland will bring the law relating to medical appeal tribunals into line with that in Great Britain.