§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has concerning the delays in weeks between the notification of appeals against the decisions taken by adjudication officers on(a) claims for benefit relating to vibration white finger disability and other manual-occupation inflicted disability and (b) claims for the payment of arrears of reduced earnings allowance, in local DSS offices in Stranraer, Greenock and Port Glasgow, and the hearing of such appeals by social security appeals tribunals and medical appeals tribunals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe question of delay between appeal and hearing involves not only the Department of Social Security but also the office of the president of social security appeal tribunal, which is independent of the Department and falls within the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor. Information as to the time taken to prepare appeals for hearing of specific benefits, by specific local offices is not kept and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.