§ Mr. John Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many steelworkers in South Wales and in the Port Talbot travel-to-work areas, who have claimed sickness benefit prior to the current industrial dispute, have been refused sickness benefit; what are the medical qualifications of the insurance officers who have determined that benefit be refused retrospectively to a period before the commencement of the industrial dispute; how many of those affected are appealing; and when the appeals will be held; and what steps he is taking to increase the number and frequency of appeal tribunals to deal with sickness benefit appeals in South Wales and in 323W the Port Talbot travel-to-work area, respectively:
(2) how many cases appeal tribunals dealing with sickness benefit appeals in South Wales and in the Port Talbot travel-to-work area will be able to deal with in the next six weeks, and in the next three months, respectively.
§ Mr. PrenticeI shall let the right hon. and learned Gentleman have a reply as soon as possible.