§ Mrs. Jane KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current number of clinical grading cases remaining to be heard under section 32 of the Whitley Council agreement at(a) regional health authority level and when they are expected to be concluded and (b) at national level and when they are expected to be concluded; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 16 November 1992]: At 30 September 1992 there were 19,908 appeals outstanding at regional health authority level and 2,138 at national level. Initiatives are being taken to bring the process to the earliest possible conclusion. Due to the introduction of new appeals procedures the number of national appeals heard in the six months up to 31 October 1992 was almost twice the number heard in the 18 months prior to that date.