§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many (a) civil servants and (b) other persons are involved, by region, in the hearing of appeals against refusal of supplementary benefit; and what was the estimated total cost to public funds of the appeal procedure in each of the last three years;
(2) what is the number of appeals against refusal of supplementary benefit awaiting hearing at the latest convenient date by region; and how this compares with the situation 12 months and 24 months earlier;
(3) what is the shortest and longest time taken in each region for the hearing of appeals against refusal of supplementary benefit in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. OrmeI regret that this information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many appeals against refusal of supplementary benefit there have been in each of the last three years by region; how many succeeded; and how many failed.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the number of people entitled to supplementary benefit but who are not claiming it; and how this compares with the position 12 months and 24 months ago.
§ Mr. OrmeThe latest estimates available relate to 1973 and 1974 and are contained in chapter 6 of the Supplemen-688W tary Benefits Commission's Annual Report for 1975. When the information for 1975 is available I will circulate it in the Official Report.