asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many steelworkers in South Wales and in the Port Talbot travel-to-work areas, who have claimed sickness benefit prior to the current industrial dispute, have been refused sickness benefit; what are the medical qualifications of the insurance officers who have determined that benefit be refused retrospectively to a period before the commencement of the industrial dispute; how many of those affected are appealing; and when the appeals will be held; and what steps he is taking to increase the number and frequency of appeal tribunals to deal with sickness benefit appeals in South Wales and in the Port Talbot travel-to-work area, respectively:(2) how many cases appeal tribunals dealing with sickness benefit appeals in South Wales and in the Port Talbot travel-to-work area will be able to deal with in the next six weeks, and in the next three months, respectively.

I shall let the right hon. and learned Gentleman have a reply as soon as possible.