Written question asked by Colin Breed (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 9 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 November 2000. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Monday, 20 November 2000 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what factors underlay the decision to replace the Independent Tribunal Service with the Appeals Service Tribunal. - Includes ref to Social Security Act 1998.

Answer: Mr. Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors underlay the decision to replace the Independent Tribunal Service with the Appeals Service Tribunal. [138300] Angela Eagle: The Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) was a tribunal non-Departmental Public Body under a Presidential system. The President was not only responsible for judicial functions but also for the administration of the five tribunals. As a member of the judiciary, the President was not accountable to Parliament for the performance of ITS, and it was not possible to set targets relating to appeals administration. The Social Security Act 1998 provided the legislative framework to introduce a more streamlined and efficient appeals system. The President remains the judicial head of appeal tribunals and is responsible for their independent functions. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State assumed responsibility for the administration of appeals from 1 June 1999 and the Appeals Service agency, headed by a Chief Executive, was established on 3 April 2000. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has set the agency key financial and performance targets which are detailed in its published Business Plan for 2000-01.

Secondary information