§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish's Written Answer of 15th May (WA 62) on the habitual residence test saying that "there is no firm evidence to suggest that it is being applied unequally", whether the lack of evidence is a cause or a consequence of their refusal to collect information on the ethnic background of those subjected to the test.
§ Lord Mackay of ArdbrecknishNeither. The Benefits Agency is committed to administering benefits in a non-discriminatory manner.
§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish's Written Answer of 16th May (WA 66), saying that the information on the percentage of refusals of benefit under the habitual residence test which are reversed on appeal is not available, how they monitor the application of the test in the absence of this information.
§ Lord Mackay of ArdbrecknishThe application of the habitual residence test is monitored by reference to the number of claimants who pass or fail the test. It is not practicable for the Independent Tribunal Service separately to identify habitual residence test appeals within the generality of appeal cases.