§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals concerning the all work test were heard by social security appeal tribunals in the March 1996 quarter; and how many and what percentage were decided in the appellant's favour, where the appellant(a) attended the hearing but was not represented, (b)was represented but did not attend, (c) attended and was represented and (d) did not attend and was not represented. [2023]
386W
§ Mr. BurtThe information is in the table.
Quarter ending 31 March 1996 Total Decided in appellants favour Percentage Appeals Heard 7,378 3,407 46.2 Appellant only attended 3,028 1,403 46.3 Representative only attended 96 44 45.8 Appellant and representative attended 2,741 1,846 67.3 Not attended 1,513 114 7.5
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals were heard by disability appeal tribunals in the last quarter for which information is available; and how many and what percentage were decided in the appellant's favour, where the appellant(a) attended the hearing but was not represented, (b) was represented but did not attend, (c) attended and was represented and (d) did not attend and was not represented. [2024]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information is in the table.
Quarter ending 31 March 1996 Total Decided in appellants favour Percentage Appeals Heard and decided1 5,175 3,197 61.7 Appellant only attended 1,357 757 55.7 Representative only attended 507 360 71.0 Appellant and representative attended 2,641 1,945 73.6 Not attended by appellant or representative 670 135 20.1 1There were 7,385 appeals heard in the quarter ending 31 March 1996. A total of 5,175 were decided and 2,210 were adjourned.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which venues have ceased to be used by social security appeal tribunals since January 1996; and which venues it is proposed to cease using. [2025]
§ Mr. EvansThe following nine venues have ceased to be used by social security appeal tribunals since January 1996: Mansfield, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd, Gloucester, Yeovil, Huddersfield, Scunthorpe and Paisley.
The independent tribunal service has no plans to close any other venues.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library copies of the standard letters sent to appellants by clerks of social security appeal tribunals, disability appeal tribunals and child support appeal tribunals directing them to notify the clerk if they wish an oral hearing to be held. [2027]
§ Mr. EvansThese standard letters are the responsibility of the president of the independent tribunal service, His Honour Judge Bassingthwaighte, who will write to the hon. Member shortly.