§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements have been made to enable visually impaired people to participate fully as lay members of disability appeal tribunals.
§ Mr. ScottThe Disability Living Allowance and Disability Working Allowance Act 1991 requires that every disability appeal tribunal must include one person who is experienced in dealing with the needs of disabled people, either in a professional or voluntary capacity, or because they are themselves disabled. The Act also provides that in considering the appointments to the panels from which disability appeal tribunal members are drawn, the president of the independent tribunal service shall have regard to the desirability of appointing disabled persons.
Responsibility for the administrative arrangements for disability appeal tribunals lies with the president of the 129W independent tribunal service, His Honour Judge Holden, and the hon. Member may wish to contact his office direct to obtain further information.