§ 14. Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he has taken to ensure that tribunals which lie within his Department's responsibility meet the requirements of the Human Rights Act 1998 for independence. [136121]
§ Angela EagleMy right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor appoints the panel members who sit on unified appeal tribunals within the Appeals Service. He introduced new administrative arrangements for judicial appointments, including part-time panel members, from 12 April 2000.
My right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and my noble Friend the Lord Chief Justice consider that these arrangements put beyond reasonable doubt the safeguards guaranteeing the independence of judicial appointments.