§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the 82 people described as panel members in annexe 3 to the report "The Medical Assessment for Incapacity Benefit" were not among the 80 experts referred to in part 2 of the report; why their names were included in annexe 3; what part each of them played in the work of the panel; how many sub-groups of the panel were formed and for what purposes; how many members each sub-group had; how many member of each sub-group were not members of the panel; how many were employed by(a) the Benefits Agency medical service, (b) the Department of Social Security and (c) the Department of Health; and how many had medical qualifications.
§ Mr. HagueOriginally 80 people agreed to join the panel. Some dropped out and were replaced at a later date. The 82 people listed at annexe 3 of the report "The Medical Assessment for Incapacity Benefit" were all members of the expert panel at some time. The list includes all those invited on to the panel who agreed that their names should be made public.
Only one sub-group of the panel was formed, to consider special procedures for assessing the effects of mental health. There were five members, two of whom were employed by the Benefits Agency medical service. In addition, we consulted widely with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and others representing people with mental health problems.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he decided that the names of the members of the panel on incapacity should not be published without their agreement; and if he will seek the consent of numbers of the sub-group on mental health and incapacity, who agreed to publication of their names in the report "The Medical Assessment of Incapacity Benefit", to the disclosure of the membership of the sub-group.
§ Mr. HagueI refer the hon. Member to the replies given to him on 3 November 1994,Official Report, column 1377, and 25 November 1994, column 421.