§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons are now employed by the independent review service of the social fund; and what is the annual cost to public funds of the services provided by that body.
§ Mr. ScottI am informed by the social fund commissioner that there are currently 162 staff employed by the independent review service. The estimated running cost expenditure for 1993–94 is £3,960,000. Available information on previous years' running costs is published in the social fund commissioner's annual reports.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases or appeals have been referred back to local offices by the independent review service in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and how many of these referrals have resulted in a change in the decision of local social fund officers.
§ Mr. ScottI am informed by the social fund commissioner that in 1993–94—April to November—2,370 cases were referred back to the Benefits Agency for redetermination. Information on the number of such referrals that resulted in a change in the original social fund officer's decision is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.