HC Deb 29 July 1998 vol 317 cc327-8W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will investigate the procedures and regulations followed by the Independent Tribunal Service in relation to the appeal for a disability living allowance appeal lodged on 17 June 1997 by William Kirane of Caernarfon; and if he will review the reply sent by Mr. Peter Mathison of the Benefits Agency dated 25 June sent in response to representations made by the right hon. Member for Caernarfon to the Secretary of State for Social Security of 23 April. [53563]

Mr. Denham

The operation of the appeals system is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service. However, one of the purposes of the changes which will be introduced under the Social Security Act 1998 is to speed up the hearing of appeals.

In respect of the reply sent previously concerning the case of William Kirrane of Caernarfon, I have asked Peter Mathison to look into the matter and to write to you again.

Mr. Etherington

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated average cost of(a) a review of a DLA application and (b) an appeal against a DLA award. [52780]

Mr. Denham

The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Bill Etherington, dated 28 July 1998: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what is the estimated average cost of (a) a review of a Disability Living Allowance (DLA) application and (b) an appeal against a DLA award. The information requested is not readily available since the costs will be made up of a variable number of items, depending on the circumstances of the case. Two of the major costs are staff and medical evidence. If a review is requested under 3 months, the staffing costs would be £23.51 per review. If a review is requested over 3 months, the staffing cost would be £16.68. The cost of an appeal would be £34.82. Costs attributable to obtaining further medical evidence, depends on the nature of the evidence required. The cost of obtaining a General Practitioners Factual Report is £17.00. The cost of obtaining an Examining Medical Practitioners Report is £56.90. Tribunal costs will also vary. An average cost, however, is £85.28 per hearing, derived by dividing the whole cost of setting up a Tribunal, £343.28, by the number of listings per day. I hope you find the reply helpful.