§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to introduce amending regulations in respect of appeals to the Social Security and Child Support Commissioners. [21604]
§ Mr. Roger EvansI have today laid regulations to make changes in relation to applications for leave to appeal against a tribunal decision. These regulations require any application for leave to appeal to a commissioner against the decision of a tribunal to be accompanied by a copy of the full statement of the tribunal's decision. A notice of appeal must also be accompanied by a copy of this statement. Arrangements will be made to ensure that appellants are aware of the need to request a full statement of the tribunal's decision.
The regulations also amend the time limit for making an application to the appeal tribunal chairman for leave to appeal to a commissioner so that it begins with the date on which the full statement of the tribunal's decision is given or sent to the appellant. I have consulted the council on tribunals on these proposals and copies of the letter to them and their response have been placed in the Library