HC Deb 27 November 1991 vol 199 cc522-3W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will give for each year since the Social Security Act 1975 came into effect the total number of inquiries held under section 93(3); if he will break down each year's total to give figures for each type of question listed in section 93(1); and if he will give for each year the number of inquiries where the Secretary of State accepted the recommendations in the report and the number where he did not;

(2) what guidelines have been issued to persons appointed to hold inquiries under section 93(3) of the Social Security Act 1975; and if he will place the guidelines in the Library;

(3) if he will list for each year since the Social Security Act 1975 came into effect the names and positions of the persons appointed to hold inquiries under section 93(3).

Mr. Jack

[holding answer 18 November 1991]: The function of an inquirer appointed under section 93(3) of the Social Security Act 1975 is to hear evidence, elicit the facts, and report to the Secretary of State who then gives his decision on the basis of the facts of the case and the law which applies to those facts.

Inquirers are appointed from a pool of qualified lawyers with relevant experience who receive initial training, which includes attendance at inquiries as an observer.

The appointment to hold an inquiry is limited to a particular case and a list of all those who have undertaken these appointments could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

I am placing in the Library a copy of form CF 100 "Notes regarding Inquiries held under the Social Security Acts" which is sent to all parties appearing at an inquiry.

The total number of inquiries held and the breakdown into the types of question listed in section 93(1) for each year since that Act came into effect are as follows:

Financial year Total Categorisation of employment and liability for contributions Inquiries related to claims for contributory benefit Unclassified
1975–76 131 104 18 9
1976–77 96 67 14 15
1977–78 58 42 8 8
1978–79 103 89 3 11
1979–80 80 72 3 5
1980–81 64 61 1 2
1981–82 29 27 2 —
1982–83 46 40 5 1
1983–84 52 40 12 —
1984–85 75 64 9 2
1985–86 42 40 2 —
1986–87 41 39 2 —
1987–88 39 36 3 —
1988–89 51 50 1 —
1989–90 37 36 1 —
1990–91 48 45 3 —
Total 992 852 87 53

Note:

Unclassified cases are those where the records now available do not specify the type of question.