§ Mr. Clayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current average length of time taken for the completion of (a) appeals to supplementary benefit appeals tribunals and (b) appeals to supplementary benefit commissioners.
§ Mr. NewtonIn the three months ending 30 June 1983 the average time from lodgement of an appeal to the date of hearing by a supplementary benefit appeal tribunal was 8.3 weeks. The time taken to determine an appeal to a social security commissioner varies considerably and depends on a number of factors, some outside the commissioner's control. No average figures are available.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to shorten the period of waiting that claimants undergo in Knowsley to have appeals heard against refusal of benefits.
§ Mr. NewtonAppeals to supplementary benefit appeal tribunals in Knowsley are subject to delay, but the Department has taken steps to remedy this. The recruiting campaign for members has been intensified, the number of tribunal sittings has been increased, and some appeals have been transferred to tribunals which are less heavily loaded.