§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) pursuant to his answer of 17 June.Official Report, column 591, about hearing appeals on disability living allowances, what is the maximum time he regards as acceptable to hear an appeal;
(2) how many people have been waiting to have their appeals on disability living allowance heard for (a) less than one month, (b) between one and three months, (c) between three and six months and (d) over six months.
§ Mr. ScottClearance times for appeals is a matter for the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, under its framework document, and the president of the Independent Tribunal Service.
Provisional target clearance times set by the Benefits Agency allow for 80 per cent. of appeals against a disability living allowance to be cleared within 30 working days, and 95 per cent. within 45 working days. This time relates to the preparation of the appeal and its submission to the Independent Tribunal Service. Information about clerance times within the Independent Tribunal Service may be obtained from the office of the president, His Honour Judge Holden.
No appeals against disability living allowance decisions have been received by the Independent Tribunal Service.