HL Deb 10 February 1977 vol 379 cc1389-90WA
Lord GARDINER

ask Her Majesty's Government:

With respect to the statement made by the Minister of Social Security, on the 18th January 1977, that, "improvements have been made or are being considered. They include better tribunal premises, clearer and more complete documentation of appeals, improved forms and explanatory leaflets, reconsideration of the role of the tribunal clerk and the officer who represents the Supplementary Benefits Commission at appeal hearings, measures to overcome the difficulties in attending hearings of elderly or handicapped appellants and those who live in areas badly served by public transport and efforts to reduce the time between making an appeal and the hearing", which of them have been made and which of them are being considered.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

Since the start of Professor Bell's research study, 31 tribunals have been rehoused in better premises and five more have had improvements made to existing accommodation. Progress will continue subject to availability of resources. Some improvements have already been made in the documentation of appeals and the layout and content of forms and leaflets; others are under consideration or depend on the evaluation of recently-completed experiments. The role of the tribunal clerk had been redefined, in consultation with the Council on Tribunals, before Professor Bell made her report. The role of the presenting officer is currently being re-examined.

The difficulties of certain appellants in attending hearings are being discussed with the Council on Tribunals. Measures recently taken to reduce the time between appeal and hearing include setting up new tribunals, holding extra sessions and appointing more tribunal clerks and presenting officers. Further improvement will continue to be pursued.

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