§ 53. Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications for leave to appeal to the National Insurance Commissioner were outstanding at 31 December 1980; how many are currently outstanding; when the first of the current applications was first submitted; and what steps are being taken to deal with this backlog and the distress and inconvenience it is causing.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Social Security Act 1980, which made the right of appeal to the commissioner subject to leave, came into effect 12 months ago. Figures are not available showing how many applications for leave to appeal were outstanding on 31 December 1980. The number of such applications outstanding on 12 November 1981 was 1,005 of which the earliest is dated 5 February 1981. If my hon. Friend has a specific case in mind I shall be pleased to look at it.