§ Tony WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many appeal tribunals in(a) Scotland and (b) the UK have been adjourned as a result of the Tribunal of Commissioners decision in CSDLA/1019/99; [49006]
(2) how many full sessions in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK have been adjourned as a result of the Tribunal of Commissioners decision in CSDLA/1019/99; [49007]
(3) if medical members who would he disqualified by conflict of interest as judged by the Tribunal of Commissioners decision in CSDLA/1019/99 are still being allocated to sit on Appeal Tribunal hearings; and if he will make a statement; [49008]
(4) what costs have been incurred owing to the cancellation of appeal tribunal hearings as a result of the Tribunal of Commissioners decision in CSDLA/1019/99; [49009]
(5) how many medical members in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK of appeal tribunal hearings he estimates could be disqualified from hearings when the findings of CSDLA/1019/99 are applied. [49011]
§ Maria EagleThis is a matter for Neil Ward, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from N. D. Ward to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 18 April 2002:
The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your recent parliamentary questions on the subject of the Tribunal of Commissioners decision (CSDLA/1019/99). You asked:
how many appeal tribunals in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK have been adjourned as a result (49006);how many full sessions in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK have been adjourned as a result (49007);what costs have been incurred owing to the cancellation of appeal tribunal hearings as a result (49009);if medical members who would be disqualified by conflict of interest as judged by the decision are still being allocated to sit on Appeal Tribunal hearings (49008); andhow many medical members in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK of appeal tribunal hearings he estimates could be disqualified from hearings when the findings of CSDLA/1019/99 are applied (49011).The jurisdiction of appeal tribunal administration by the Appeals Service extends to Great Britain only.
Information on the number of appeal tribunals, and full sessions, adjourned as a result of the Tribunal of Commissioners decision, and the costs, is unavailable.
The President of Appeal Tribunals has considered carefully the impact of the above decision. The decision is currently the subject of an appeal to the Court of Session. In the meantime, all medically qualified panel members are being offered hearings.
There are currently 133 fee paid medically qualified panel members in Scotland, of whom 28 also carry out work for Schlumbergersema/Nestor Disability Analysis. For Great Britain, the figures are 856 and 136 respectively.
I hope this is helpful.
60W
§ Tony WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when an Appeal Tribunal is adjourned, what costs have to be met for personnel and services; and what these have amounted to on average in the last year. [49012]
§ Maria EagleThis is a matter for Neil Ward, chief executive of the Appeals Service. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from N. D. Ward to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 18 April 2002:
The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your question regarding what costs have to be met for personnel and services, as a result of adjourned appeal tribunals; and what these have amounted to on average in the last year.The costs may include administrative costs for staff and venues as well as those of panel members and travelling expenses for the appellant. Information regarding the specific costs of adjourned tribunals is unavailable. However, the average cost of an appeal cleared by an appeal tribunal is £155 (excluding first tier agency costs). An appeal may be cleared at the first hearing, or after one or more adjournments.I hope this is helpful.