§ Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how appeal tribunals under the Ministry of Social Security Act, 1966, and the Selective Employment Payments Act, 1966 are constituted ; whether he is satisfied with their working : and if he intends to review their procedure.
§ Sir K. JosephSupplementary Benefit Appeal Tribunals consist of a Chairman appointed by the Lord Chancellor and two other members whom I appoint, one from among persons appearing to me to represent work-people.
I have recently reviewed the procedure of these tribunals and made the Supplementary Benefit (Appeal Tribunal) Rules, 1971, Statutory Instrument 1971 No. 680 which came into operation on 1st July. They permit the presence of persons engaged in research to be present at hearings at the discretion of the Tribunal and require Tribunals to give reasons for their determinations in writing.