Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Treasurer of the Household whether he is aware of the considerable delay taking place in the hearing of appeal cases by the House of Lords Appeal Tribunals, involving a waiting period of four to five months in some cases; and if he can take steps to expedite matters by securing the appointment of additional members to these tribunals?
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§ Colonel GIBBSThe average time which elapses between the date of receipt by the Central Office of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals for England and Wales of an appeal and the date on which it is listed for hearing is as follows:
This period includes the statutory notice to which an appellant is entitled of the date fixed for the hearing. For administrative reasons it is necessary for the Central Office of the Tribunals to have at least one month's work in hand to enable arrangements to be made for Tribunals to sit at the various provincial centres and to enable the necessary accommodation to be secured. The income of cases fluctuates very largely from time to time in the various regions. Twelve Entitlement Tribunals and 20 Assessment Tribunals are now sitting, two new Assessment Tribunals having commenced to sit on 10th April.
Entitlement appeals Four weeks. Assessment appeals Seven weeks.