§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements are made for representation of adjudication officers at commissioners' hearings; and whether he will make similar arrangements for representation of claimants who would otherwise be unrepresented.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardAdjudication officers are represented at all oral hearings before a commissioner. The office of the chief adjudication officer arranges for representation by an adjudication officer from that office, from the central office in Scotland where the case is to be heard there, or by lawyers where complex legal issues are involved.
Responsibility for the administration of the social security commissioners lies with the Lord Chancellor's Department, to which the hon. Member may wish to refer the question of the provision of representation for claimants at commissioners' hearings.