§ Dr. Winstanleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average age of the members of the National Health Service Tribunal; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the tribunal, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members from the tribunal on the grounds of age or incapacity.
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§ Mr. CrossmanThe National Health Service Tribunal has two permanent members, a chairman aged 71 and a lay member aged 65. A third member for a sitting of the tribunal is selected from one of six panels of practitioners according to the profession of the practitioner whose case is being investigated. The chairman of the tribunal holds office during the pleasure of the Lord Chancellor. I appoint the lay member and the members of the practitioner panels after appropriate consultations and I can terminate the appointments with the consent of the Lord Chancellor.