HC Deb 29 March 1994 vol 240 c724W
Dr. Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances a medical question in respect of a claim for industrial disablement benefit should be determined by more than one adjudicating medical practitioner; what standing instructions there are to officers acting on his behalf on when and how to apply regulation 29(1)(d) of the Social Security (Adjudication) Regulations 1986; and if he will place a copy of those instructions in the Library.

Mr. Scott

Medical questions must be referred to, and determined by, more than one adjudicating medical practitioner in the case of:

  1. (a) any question arising on an application for the review of a decision on the grounds that:
    1. (i) the decision was given in ignorance of, or based on a mistake as to, a material fact; or
    2. (ii)there has been an error of law;
  2. (b) any other case which, in the opinion of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, should be determined by more than one adjudicating medical practitioner.

There are no standing instructions on the application of regulation 29(1)(d), but guidance is issued to adjudicating medical authorities.