§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what evidence he has that people are deterred from appealing to tribunals because they are told in the letter informing them of their right to an appeal that the Secretary of State has power to award costs against either party when an oral hearing is arranged;
(2) if he will inform people who have a right of appeal to tribunals coming under the jurisdiction of his Department, of the type of circumstances which would lead him to award costs against either party and of the frequency with which costs have been awarded in the past;
51W(3) if he will list the tribunals for which he is able to award costs against one or other party; in the case of each tribunal, how often this has occurred; and in what circumstances it is his policy to award such costs.
§ Dr. VaughanI will let the right hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.