§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the members of the panel on assessment of incapacity who did not agree to publication of their names were or are employed by(a) the Benefits Agency medical service, (b) the Department of Social Security and (c) the Department of Health; how many had medical qualifications; when he decided that the names of members of the panel on assessment of incapacity should not be published without their agreement; what were his reasons for so deciding; if he sought the agreement of organisations responding to the consultation document on assessment of incapacity to the publication of their names in annex 2 to the report "The Medical Assessment for Incapacity Benefit"; and if he will seek the consent of members of the sub-group on mental health and incapacity, who agreed to publication of their names in the report "The Medical Assessment of Incapacity Benefit", to the disclosure of their membership of the sub-group.
§ Mr. HagueOf the 10 panel members who did not want their names published, one is employed by the 637W Benefits Agency medical service, one by the Department of Social Security and one by the Department of Health. Of the 10, six have medical qualifications. The panel members undertook their work as individuals and it was considered appropriate that the wishes of those who did not want their names to be made public should be respected.
The organisations listed in annex 2 of the report were responding to a public consultation and it was appropriate for their interest to be acknowledged.