HC Deb 07 February 1996 vol 271 cc254-5W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when Mr. Andrew Dickson's war pension appeal, presented on 28 November 1992, reference M2910162, will be heard. [13623]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

The pensions appeal tribunals received the supplementary statement of case from the War Pensions Agency on 15 November 1995. However, the pensions appeal tribunals have not yet received a response to their letter of 26 October 1994 to Mr. Dickson's representatives requesting information about the listing of the appeal. A reminder was sent on 2 February 1996, and once a response is received, the pensions appeal tribunals will arrange a hearing for the appeal.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when Mr. John Middleton's war pension appeal, presented on 8 March 1995, reference M3101179, will be heard. [13622]

Mr. Evans

Mr. Middleton's appeal was received by the pensions appeal tribunals on 31 May 1995. On 4 July, Mr. Middleton's representatives advised the pensions appeal tribunals that he would be unable to attend his hearing due to ill health and requested that a domiciliary visit be arranged. Regrettably, the pensions appeal tribunals failed to act on this letter. I should like to apologise to Mr. Middleton for this error and for the delay it has caused to his case.

The president of the pensions appeal tribunals has authorised a domiciliary visit which is expected to take place later this month. Thereafter, Mr. Middleton's appeal will be listed for hearing as a matter of urgency.