§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the average length of time for(a) an incapacity benefit appeal submission to be sent to the independent tribunal service and (b) an incapacity benefit appeal to be heard; [25794]
(2) how many appeals against the disallowance of incapacity benefit are currently outstanding; [25796]
(3) how many incapacity benefit appeals have been heard, and how many were successful. [25793]
§ Mr. BurtThe information is in the table.
Incapacity benefit appeals Figures Average time between lodgement and submiision to ITS 5 weeks Average time between submission to ITS and hearing 12 weeks Number outstanding 21,460 Number heard 4,906 Number of decisions in favour ofappellant 2,270
- 1. Figures are to the end of February.
- 2. Figures are for all incapacity benefit appeals.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security(a) how many medical examinations for the all-work test of capacity have been scheduled but have not taken place, (b) how many examinations have been performed, (c) how many people have failed to attend an examination without good cause and (d) how many people have been found capable of work for (i) February and (ii) March 1996. [26341]
§ Mr. BurtThe available information is in the table.
February 1996 March 1996 Examinations scheduled, but which did not take place1 25,143 23,624 Examinations performed 56,247 59,121 Failed to attend examination without good cause 413 472 Found capable of work2 14,289 15,490 1 Excludes cases in which scheduled appointments were re-allocated following advance notice from a customer that he would be unable to attend. 2 Includes cases found capable following failure to return the questionnaire without good cause or failure to attend examination without good cause.