§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many appeals which have been lodged with a child support appeal tribunal are currently pending; [4686]
(2) what is the average length of time between the lodging of an appeal to a child support appeal tribunal and the hearing of the appeal by the tribunal; [4684]
(3) how many appeals have been determined by a child support appeal tribunal; and in how many appeals the tribunal held that there had been no error by the child support officer. [4683]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellAt 30 November 1995, there were 4.617 appeals outstanding at the child support appeal tribunals. In the last 12 months, 4,565 appeals have been1118W determined; in 1,169 cases the child support officer's decision was upheld. The average clearance time is 41 weeks.
§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the total gross cost to public funds to date of the operation of(a) the child support appeal tribunals and (b) the child support commissioners. [4685]
§ Mr. MitchellThe information requested on child support appeal tribunals is not available. However, we estimate that, excluding start-up expenditure, for the first two years of operation the child support appeal tribunals cost approximately £600,000. I am informed by my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor that the information requested on the child support commissioners is not collected.