§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the guidelines are in respect of comments by the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency on decisions by Benefits Agency decision makers on claims for Disability Living Allowance. [120088]
§ Mr. RookerThe administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, who will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 2 May 2000:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what guidelines there are in respect of comments by the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency (BA) on decisions by BA decision makers on claims for disability benefit living allowance.Decision makers in the BA make decisions fairly and impartially on behalf of the Secretary of State. No one, including myself, can interfere with the decision making process.This is a long-standing principle designed to ensure that all claims and questions put before decision makers are treated equitably.I am responsible for monitoring the quality of decision making within the agency and am advised on the quality of decisions taken by an independently chaired Standards Committee.There will be an annual published report on the quality of decision making in agencies.I hope this is helpful.