§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
In how many cases of appeal to the Social Fund Commissioner where the Social Fund officer's decision has been substituted the change was to the advantage of the applicant; and what is the average delay in finalising cases which have been referred back to the Social Fund officer for determination.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)I am advised by the Social Fund Commissioner that 83 of the 96 cases in which the Social Fund inspector substituted his decision for that of the Social Fund officer were to the advantage of the applicant. I regret that information about the average delay in finalising cases which have been referred back to the Social Fund officer for determination is not available.