§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many ex-service people with attributable hearing loss were on waiting lists for hearings by the pension appeal tribunals at the latest date for which figures are available and at the same date in each of the preceeding 10 years; what action he is taking to reduce the average waiting time; and if he will make a statement. [18955]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansSpecific information about hearing loss cases is not available as the pensions appeal tribunals do not record appeals by the type of disability or injury which is subject to appeal.
In order to reduce waiting times in all cases, extra staff and judicial officers have been appointed which has enabled an increase in tribunal sittings and cases heard. A scheme has been introduced to give priority to appellants aged over 68 and those who are terminally ill. Administrative changes are being made to enable more hearings in the absence of the appellant and more flexible listing procedures are planned which will allow appeals to be heard at short notice.