§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what local authority appeal procedures are established for housing benefit cases; whether the bodies set up will be expected to reach unanimous decisions; and, where decisions are not unanimous, whether this will be indicated with reason stated;
(2) how many local authorities have established appeal bodies to review housing benefit appeals; how many have yet to do so; and how many appeals have been heard so far.
§ Mr. RossiI refer the hon. Member to part VIII of the Housing Benefit Regulations 1982, which sets out the duties laid upon local authorities in this area. Information is not held centrally on the operation of such review boards as have been established so far.