HC Deb 01 May 1973 vol 855 cc264-5W
Mr. Peter Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of appeals relating to the right to, or amount of, supplementary benefit, in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available, were decided in favour of the appellant from the supplementary benefits appeal tribunals, respectively, for north London, north-east London, east London, Watford and St. Albans, southeast London, south-west London and west London.

Mr. Dean

Following is the information for the 12 months ending 30th September 1972:—

Per cent.
North London … … 25.2
North-East London … … 25.7
East London … … 24.5
Watford and St. Albans … … 20.3
South-East London … … 19.8
South-West London … … 12.6
West London … … 19.7

Mr. Peter Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many appellants before supplementary benefits appeal tribunals, in the latest period of 12 months, were unrepresented, represented by solicitors, by social or welfare workers, and by friends or relatives, respectively; in respect of each category, how many appellants failed themselves to attend the hearing; and in how many cases a decision was given in the appellant's favour among those, respectively, who did and did not personaly attend.

Mr. Dean

I regret that no figures are available for a period of 12 months. Those for the three months ending 30th June 1972 are given in the table below, as nearly as possible in the form requested by the hon. and learned Member:

Mr. Peter Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of appeals relating to the right to or amount of supplementary benefit in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available were decided in favour of the appellant, respectively, in England and Wales, and in each region.

Mr. Dean

For the 12 months ending 30th June 1972 the percentage was 17.2 per cent. in England and Wales and 16.8 per cent in Wales. The figures for each region are given below: —

Per cent.
Northern … 13.2
Yorkshire and Humberside … 13.1
East Midlands and East Anglia … 17.5
London North … 23.3
London South … 18.3
London West … 20.5
South Western … 28.2
West Midlands … 18.3
North West (Manchester) … 8.6
North West (Merseyside) … 10.8
Wales … 16.8