§ Mr. BrowneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the appointment of part-time sessional doctors engaged by Medical Services (SEMA) and Nestor Disability Analysis Ltd. as medical members of appeal tribunals. [120938]
§ Mr. BayleyMy noble Friend the Lord Chancellor appoints appeal tribunal members. The qualification requirements for appointment are set out in regulations and do not exclude SEMA and NESTOR doctors.
We laid an amendment regulation on 10 May to reinforce current Appeals Service instructions which preclude doctors from hearing an appeal in which they have previously given advice or prepared reports on a claimant's medical condition.