§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Attorney-General how many decisions were issued by the social security commissioners relating to each social security benefit, distinguishing between single payments and other supplementary benefits, in each month since January 1988; how many appeals to the commissioners relating to each benefit are outstanding; and in how many of these cases the appeal(a) is not ready for hearing, (b) is awaiting a hearing and (c) has been heard but the commissioner's decision has not been issued.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe information is not readily available in the form requested. However, the number of decisions issued by the commissioners in calendar years 1988 and 1989 for each category of benefit is shown in the tables, although existing statistics do not distinguish between supplementary benefit and single payment appeals.
Information on the number of appeals outstanding relating to each category of benefit is not readily available, but the current total of outstanding appeals is 3,331. In 1988, 19 per cent. of appeals, and in 1989 24 per cent. of appeals, were decided after an oral hearing; the balance of 772W appeals in each year was decided without an oral hearing. Of the total of outstanding appeals (a) 1,559 are not ready for decision; (b) 1,528 are awaiting a decision; and (c) 244 have been decided and a commissioner's decision has not yet been issued.
Number of Decisions issued by the Social Security Commissioners in 1988 Number Supplementary Benefit 1,198 Family Income Supplement 18 Unemployment Benefit 176 Sickness Benefit 196 Attendance Allowance 173 Industrial Injury 207 Mobility Allowance 221 Child Benefit 33 Retirement Pensions 45 Statutory Sick Pay 8 General Benefits e.g. widows benefit, guardian allowance 65 Income Support — Total 2,340
Number of Decisions issued by the Social Security Commissioners in 1989 Supplementary Benefit 1,199 Family Income Supplement 7 Unemployment Benefit 134 Sickness Benefit 125 Attendance Allowance 205 Industrial Injury 205 Mobility Allowance 245 Child Benefit 34 Retirement Pensions 41 Statutory Sick Pay 3 General Benefits e.g. widows benefit, guardian allowance 68 Income Support 47 Family Credit 2 Total 2,315
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Attorney-General what is the average cost to public funds of an appeal to the social security commissioners, with or without an oral hearing.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is estimated that the average cost to public funds is £2,428.29.