Social Security Appeals

EDM number 1683 in 1997-98, proposed by Bill Etherington on 22/10/1998.

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.

This motion has been signed by a total of 38 MPs.