HC Deb 05 February 2004 vol 417 cc1059-60W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many incapacity benefit appeal cases processed by the social security office in Dundee in the last year it has taken more than three weeks to obtain a full statement of reasons from the Appeals Service, Glasgow: and what percentage of the total cases dealt with in that period this represents. [148748]

Maria Eagle

This is a matter for Christina Townsend, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will reply to the hon. Member.

Letter from Christina Townsend to Annabelle Ewing, dated 5 February 2004: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking in how many incapacity benefit appeal cases processed by the social security office in Dundee in the last year has it taken more than 3 weeks to obtain a full statement of reasons from the Appeals Service, Glasgow; and what percentage of the total cases dealt within that period this represents The information is not available in the requested format. However in respect of the period 1 December 2002 to 30 November 2003, out of a total of 955 statement of reasons issued by the Appeals Service office in Glasgow in respect of Incapacity Benefit appeals, 740 were issued after 15 working days, which is 77.5 per cent. of the total. In respect of the Dundee tribunal venue out of a total of 72 statement of reasons issued over the same period, 51 were issued after 15 working days, which is 71 per cent. of the total. I hope this reply is helpful.

Statements for incapacity benefit appeals at Dundee (1 December 2002 to 30 November 2003)
Less than 15 days Between 15 and 20 days Between 20 and 25 days Between 25 and 30 days Greater than 30 days Total
Dundee 21 12 11 5 23 72
Glasgow 215 101 87 97 455 955