§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest available figures for the rate at which appeals to supplementary benefit appeal tribunals are superseded; and what are the comparable rates for each of the last three years.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe number of appeals to supplementary benefit appeal tribunals which were superseded in the latest year and previous three years, as a percentage of the total number of appeals lodged, is as follows:
- 1978: — 28 per cent.
- 1979: — 29 per cent.
- 1980: — 29 per cent.
- 1981: — 31 per cent.—First nine months only available.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the 21-hour provision mentioned in paragraph 7(2) of the Supplementary Benefit Conditions of Entitlement Regulations includes time for lunch breaks and private study; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to her reply, 25 January 1982, c.284]: As I explained to the hon. Member in reply to his question on 25 November—[Vol. 13, c.415–16]—revised guidance on this regulation is shortly to be issued by the chief supplementary benefit officer. I understand that this will advise that the reference to 21 hours in the regulation should be interpreted as including all the time spent on the course; that is, hours of attendance at the establishment—including lunch breaks—project work and private study.
However, I am keeping the detailed provisions of these regulations under review, in the light of experience of the working of the revised supplementary benefits scheme.