§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will authorise the outside advisers who contributed to his reviews of the social security system to publish their advice.
§ Mr. NewtonThe outside members of the review teams were appointed to advise Ministers, and it would not be appropriate for them to discuss the teams' proceedings. They are free to comment on the Government's published proposals; and the report of the housing benefit review team, which was composed entirely of outside members, has been published.
496Wsupplementary benefit appeals tribunal regarding single payments for exceptional needs, (b) how many of those appeals were decided in the claimant's favour, (c) how many attended appeals were made by women, (d) how many of these appeals were decided in the claimant's favour, (e) how many attended appeals were made by lone parents, (f) how many of these appeals were decided in the claimant's favour, (g) how many attended appeals were made by lone mothers and (h) how many of these appeals were decided in the claimant's favour.
§ Mr. MajorA revised statistical system for social security appeals was introduced in April 1984 and the information following is therefore in respect of the nine months period from 1 April to 31 December 1984. Information is not available on the sex or marital status of the appellant. Over the nine months period it is estimated that there were some 2.6 million decisions made on claims for supplementary benefit single payments of which some 2.1 million resulted in an award. In the same period there were 27,930 appeals heard and decided on single payment questions. The pattern of representation and attendance is shown in the table.