§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals were heard by the Independent Tribunal Service and the Appeals Service in(a) May 1997 to April 1998 and (b) May 1998 to April 1999; how many of the appeals in each of the years were successful; what was the total amount paid in benefit arrears arising from those appeals for each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [109820]
§ Angela EagleThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
An enhanced computer system that allows the Appeals Service to record appeals and produce statistical information became operational at the end of 1997.
claim. It is therefore necessary to devise a claims process to enable these people to make their claims. The Benefits Agency are currently working on this and other operational issues to determine the best way to deliver the payments.
There is no need for anyone who believes they may now be eligible for a payment to contact the Benefits Agency at present. A further announcement will be made as soon as we are ready to set out how people should claim.