HC Deb 18 January 1988 vol 125 cc593-6W
Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he received the report of the central management support inquiry team on procedures for handling appeals; what were its main recommendations; what steps he is taking to implement them; and whether a copy of the report will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Portillo

[holding answer 13 January 1988]: The central management support report "Appeals Handling in Local and Central Offices" has been presented. The recommendations are being studied and an action plan for implementation of those which are accepted will be drawn up. The report examines detailed procedures operating within the Department for the handling of appeals. CMS studies are internal and technical reviews of DHSS procedures and are not normally made available outside the Department. However, I recognise that delays in the processing of appeals and ways whereby they may be reduced are matters of concern to a number of hon. Members and I have therefore arranged for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library.