§ Mr. MooreTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland had been waiting for more than(a) three, (b) six, (c) 12 and (d) 18 months for a response from an Independent Tribunal Service appeal, in the year ended 31 August (a) 1998 and (b) 1997. [61918]
§ Angela EagleI have been asked to reply.
The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
All cases heard and decided by an appeal tribunal in 1997 and 1998 January-December 1997 3–6 months 3,448 6–12 months 8,051 1–2 years 1,874 2 years and over 159
January-August 1998 3–6 months 5,674 6–12 months 10,289 12–18 months 2,489 18 months and over 760 Note:
A figure for 18 months is not available for the 1997 data
Source:
Appeals—Data supplied by Analytical Services Division (ASD) from the computer extracts from the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS).
The Government are committed to reducing the unacceptable delays in handling welfare appeals, new arrangements for decision making and appeals will be introduced next year and will provide a more responsive and efficient service for appellants.
We will set stringent, effective targets for the clearance of appeals when the new arrangements are introduced.