To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will set a maximum time for the hearing of appeals to the social security and other related appeals tribunals as part of the Citizen's Charter Initiative; and if she will make a statement. [5993]

Modernising the Social Security system is one of our key priorities. We will streamline services to provide better, simpler more efficient services to clients. We intend to bring forward legislation to improve current decision making and appeals arrangements for all Social Security matters. Further details will be announced in due course.