§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what representations he has received concerning social security regulations affecting disabled people who became panel members on disability appeal tribunals;
(2) what are his plans to amend the regulations on earnings and incapacity to permit disabled claimants who sit on disability appeal tribunals to perform their duties without incurring loss or reduction of benefit.
§ Mr. ScottWe have received a number of representations on this issue. We are committed to making sure that people with disabilities play an active role in the assessment and adjudication process of disability living allowance, attendance allowance and disability working allowance. This includes ensuring that as many disability appeal tribunals as possible include a disabled person in their membership. We are currently considering whether the benefit rules are acting as barrier to the independent tribunal service recruiting disabled people as disability appeal tribunal members. I will write to the hon. Member shortly.