§ Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the chief executive of the Benefits Agency was notified of the judgment of 16 May by the House of 545W Lords in relation to the Department of Social Security's appeal in relation to the Bates case; what factors led Mr. Mathison in a letter to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South dated 30 May, reference DB 220109, concerning Mr. R. W., to indicate that it might be early June before the outcome of his Department's appeal into the Bates case would be known; when the decision of the House of Lords was notified to individual Benefits Agency offices; and what steps have been taken to lessen the time taken by his Department to notify the Benefits Agency of the outcome of appeals to the House of Lords and the time taken by the Benefits Agency to notify its offices of the decisions taken by the House of Lords. [36567]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe administration of income support is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 16 July 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency was notified of the judgement of 16th May by the House of Lords in relation to the Department of Social Security's appeal in relation to the Bates case; what factors led Mr. Mathison in a letter to the honourable Member for Cunninghame South dated 30th May, reference DB 220109, concerning Mr. R. W., to indicate that it may be early June before the outcome of his Department's appeal into the Bates case would be known; when the decision of the House of Lords was notified to individual Benefits Agency offices; and what steps have been taken to lessen the time taken by his Department to notify the Benefits Agency of the outcome of appeals to the House of Lords and also the time taken by the Benefits Agency to notify its offices of the decisions taken by the House of Lords.The Benefits Agency (BA) was informed as soon as possible, on 16 May, after the Department itself had been informed.I am sorry that my letter of 30 May stated incorrectly that the House of Lords decision on the "Bate" case had not been issued. As soon as I was aware of this error I wrote to you (on 7 July) to apologise. Steps are being taken to ensure this does not happen again.BA district offices had been advised on 15 May that the decision was expected. Once all the implications had been considered, full procedural instructions were issued on 29 May 1996.Generally, when a House of Lords judgement affects a Social Security Benefit the Department of Social Security Policy Group are notified of the decision. Policy Group notify the BA who in conjunction with Central Adjudication Services issue appropriate guidance as soon as possible.I hope my reply has been helpful.