§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he has refused to appoint John Hoggart as a supplementary benefit appeal tribunal member.
§ Mr. NewtonI understand that Mr. John Hoggart is director of the Liverpool welfare rights advice centre. In the Government's view, it is not appropriate for a person holding such a position to be appointed to a supplementary benefit appeal tribunal, whose duty is to be, and be seen to be, impartial. In the same way, we would not think it appropriate to appoint DHSS officials to such tribunals.