§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting time for the hearing of a supplementary benefit appeal (a) nationally and (b) in Coventry.
Number of Appeals heard within the periods:— Weeks 1–4 4–6 6–8 Over 8 Nationally … … … 6,439 1592 480 306 (73 per cent.) (18 per cent.) (5 per cent.) (4 per cent.) Coventry … … … 116 32 7 7 (72 per cent.) (20 per cent.) (4 per cent.) (4 per cent.) I am aware that there was recently some backlog of appeals work at Coventry, but remedial action has been taken.