HC Deb 08 February 1999 vol 325 cc68-9W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Mr. Price of Coalpit Heath, a constituent, can expect the appeal against the withdrawal of his Disability Living Allowance lodged on 27 October 1998 to be heard. [68585]

Mr. Bayley

The administration of claims to Social Security benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 4 February 1999:

The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when Mr Price of Coalpit Heath, can expect the appeal against the withdrawal of his Disability Living Allowance (DLA) lodged on 27 October 1998 to be heard.

I should explain that the Agency aims to prepare cases for appeal within 30 days. This has not happened in Mr Price's case and our service, in this instance, has clearly been unsatisfactory. I apologise for this.

Part of the process of preparing an appeal is a re-appraisal of all the evidence, including that submitted in support of the appeal. In Mr Price's case, that evidence included a statement from Mr Price's General Practitioner which you sent to the Disability Benefits Unit on 16 November 1998.

This re-appraisal has now taken place and I can tell you that Mr Price's DLA has been re-awarded at the previous rate from 10 July 1998 for an indefinite period. Mr Price is being advised accordingly.

Clearly, in these circumstances the appeal will not need to go ahead. Should Mr Price want any more information about this, or any other aspect of his DLA award, the operational team leader, Colin Schools, on telephone number 01253 331019, will be pleased to assist.

May I thank you for drawing this to my attention.