§ Mr. Shortasked the Minister of Labour whether it is the practice, under the regulations of the Unemployment Assistance Board, to allow an applicant to be represented by a friend and to call witnesses?
§ Mr. E. BrownI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Appeal Tribunals set up under Section 39 (4) and the Seventh Schedule of the Unemployment Assistance Act. Under the Appeal Tribunals Provisional Rules an appellant may be accompanied by a friend (not being of counsel or a solicitor and appearing as such) for the purpose of assisting the Chairman or the Tribunal, as the case may be, in the elucidation of the facts. With regard to the calling of witnesses the rules give the Chairman power to permit the attendance of other persons for the purpose of giving evidence. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the leaflet which is supplied to applicants who express a desire to appeal against a determination.