§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now consider holding appeal tribunals in the homes of attendance allowance claimants who cannot for practical reasons attend hearings elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe procedure for social security appeal tribunal hearings is determined by the tribunal chairman. In exceptional circumstances, where he is satisfied that the appeal may be determined only at the appellant's home 415W —which should also provide adequate facilities for the tribunal — the chairman may decide to hold a domiciliary appeal.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now introduce legislation to allow people over 65 years to claim mobility allowance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made regarding the recommendation contained in the Oglesby report on attendance and mobility allowance that unsatisfactory examining medical officers should be weeded out.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have already accepted this recommendation. Adequate numbers of suitable examining medical officers have now been recruited. Their reports are monitored regularly, and where extra training is needed it is provided. A few doctors are no longer used.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to encourage the presence of claimants at appeal tribunals for attendance allowance.
§ Mr. NewtonThere is a right of appeal to a social security appeal tribunal from a decision of the adjudication officer that the non-medical conditions for attendance allowance are not satisfied. Tribunal hearings are normally held in public, and all appellants are encouraged to attend and he represented. Their necessary travel expenses are also reimbursed. The medical conditions for this benefit are a matter for the attendance allowance board.