SOCIAL SECURITY APPEALS

Early day motion 1683, tabled 22 October 1998 by Bill Etherington (Labour). Signed by 38 members.

That this House notes with concern the imminent change in the composition of social security appeal tribunals (SSATs); further believes that this change will adversely affect people whose claim has been turned down because they have not scored sufficient points in the All Work Test; notes that His Honour Judge Harris, on 25th September issued President's Circular No 16 which in effect from 2nd November dispenses with the requirement of two lay members of SSATs; believes that this decision will inevitably lead to a reduction in the quality of justice administered by the tribunals; further notes the present three-member tribunals include at least one member of the same sex as the claimant and also include the involvement of ethnic minority members in cases of ethnic minority appellants; believes this practice is of paramount importance; calls upon the Lord Chancellor immediately to rescind Circular No 16 before it takes effect on 2nd November; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to ensure that any future legislation provides that the composition of SSATs will include a chairman and two lay members.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 11, Scottish National Party 1.