Appeal Tribunals

Mr. Sheerman
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate she has made of the savings from presenting officers no longer attending tribunals; [12100](2) what steps she is taking to ensure the continued independence of the tribunal system following the alterations regarding the attendance of presenting officers. [12101]

Mr. Keith Bradley
It is our policy that presenting officers should attend oral hearings of tribunals. The non-attendance of presenting officers in the Huddersfield area is being investigated and I will write to my hon. Friend in due course.