§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate she has made of the savings from presenting officers no longer attending tribunals; [12100]
(2) what steps she is taking to ensure the continued independence of the tribunal system following the alterations regarding the attendance of presenting officers. [12101]
587W
§ Mr. Keith BradleyIt is our policy that presenting officers should attend oral hearings of tribunals. The non-attendance of presenting officers in the Huddersfield area is being investigated and I will write to my hon. Friend in due course.