§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how long Mr. MacLaughlan of Newcastle has waited for a war pension appeal hearing, appeal ref. 94/3544/A; why his appeal hearings for October and December 1995 were cancelled; what factors have led to the delay in holding a further hearing; and when he can expect his appeal to be heard. [5490]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansMr. MacLaughlan appealed against his interim assessment to the War Pensions Agency on 2 June 1992. The appeal papers were received by the pensions appeal tribunals on 8 November 1994. Due to an unexpected and unprecedented growth in appeals, waiting times have lengthened and although measures have been put in hand to accommodate the sustained increase, it is unlikely that Mr. MacLaughlan's appeal will be heard until February or March 1996. No record can be found of an earlier date having been allocated and cancelled.