§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what explanation he offers to persons willing to serve on social security appeal tribunals but whom he decides not to reappoint; what right of appeal against such refusal to reappoint exists; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what opportunities to attend training courses have been offered in each year since 1979 to members of the Leeds social security appeal tribunal; how many members have attended (a) all training courses and (b) no training courses in each of the last five years; and what importance he places on attendance at training courses when deciding reappointments to the tribunal;
(3) how many persons he has appointed in each year since 1979 to the Leeds social security appeal tribunal; what is the normal term of office; in how many cases since 1979 he has reappointed persons for further terms; and in how many cases since 1979 he has declined to reappoint a person who is willing to continue service;
(4) what reports he has received in the past five years about complaints made by members of the Leeds social security appeal tribunal concerning the conduct of hearings.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe responsibility for the appointment of members of social security appeal tribunals lies with the president of social security appeal tribunals and medical appeal tribunals, His Honour Judge Derek Holden, who is appointed by the Lord Chancellor. He has, however, provided me with the following information.
Tribunal members normally hold office for three years at a time, but the president may, at any time, terminate the appointment of any member. There is no right of appeal against the decision not to reappoint a person to a panel of members.
308WSince the president's office was created in 1984, training courses have been available to members of Leeds social security tribunal in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989. Further courses are being arranged for 1991. Training records are kept for individual members but are not collated. Availability for training courses is regarded as an important factor when considering reappointments.
The number of persons appointed as members of the panel for Leeds social security appeal tribunal since 1979 is as follows:
Number 1979 5 1980 1 1981 1 1982 2 1983 6 1984 1 1985 1 1986 7 1987 7 1988 2 1989 — 1990 — The number of members reappointed to the panel for Leeds social security appeal tribunal is available only from 1986:
Number 1986 8 1987 1 1988 — 1989 2 1990 9 The number of members not reappointed to the panel for Leeds social security appeal tribunal is available only from 1989:
Number 1989 — 1990 5 During the past five years no complaints from members have been received by the president concerning the conduct of hearings of Leeds social security tribunals.