§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of operating supplementary benefit tribunals in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe available accounting information relates only to the total cost of all social security benefit tribunals and I regret that it is not possible to provide a separate figure for the cost of operating supplementary benefit tribunals.
§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of operating medical tribunals in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe total costs of fees, travelling and other expenses of members of medical boards and appeal tribunals in respect of social security benefits, including the expenses of claimants, appellants and witnesses in each of the last five years was:
£ 1979–80 357,739 1980–81 503,766 1981–82 716,853 1982–83 808,583 1983–84 918,410
§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training or other facilities are available to assist (a) chairmen and (b) members of rent assessment tribunals in Northern Ireland in carrying out their function.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThis is a matter which falls within the responsibility of the rent officer for Northern Ireland. I am advised that the rent officer issues guidance and instructions as appropriate to the chairman and members of the rent assessment panel.
§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training or other facilities are available to assist (a) chairmen and (b) members of medical tribunals in Northern Ireland in carrying out their function.
§ Mr. Chris PattenNewly appointed chairmen and members are given an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the procedures of the medical appeal308W tribunals, both through discussion with other members and through study of the legislation and the literature concerning them.
In view of the legal and medical qualifications and experience of the chairmen and members it is not considered necessary to have any other system of training.
§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what fees are paid to (i) chairmen and (ii) members of medical tribunals in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Chris PattenMedical appeal tribunals consist of a Chairman and two medical practitioners.
Under existing arrangements the Department of Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland) appoints chairmen from a panel comprising the three full-time Social Security Commissioners, who do not receive any fee for this work as they are remunerated by salary, and an ex-Chief Social Security Commissioner who is employed on a part-time basis at a fee of £122 per day. Members of medical appeal tribunals are paid a fee of £100 per day or £54 per three and half hour session.
§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what fees are paid to (i) chairmen and (ii) members of supplementary benefit tribunals in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Chris PattenFrom 4 June 1984 supplementary benefit appeal tribunals are called social security appeal tribunals. They consist of a chairman and two other persons.
Chairmen of social security appeal tribunals are paid a fee of £110 per day or £55 per three and a half hour session. Members do not receive a fee but are entitled to claim for loss of earnings.
Both chairmen and members may claim for travelling expenses.