§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action will be taken to reduce the time involved in relation to mobility allowance tribunal hearings.
§ Mr. HanleyThe preparation of submissions to appeal hearings is the responsibility of the Social Security Agency. I am advised by the chief executive that the average time taken from receipt of an appeal letter to its submission to the Independent Tribunal Service is approximately 27 days.
Arrangements for the actual hearing of appeals are a matter for the president of the Independent Tribunal Service, Mr. MacLynn, and any request for information regarding such arrangements should be forwarded to him.