New Clause 1
Welfare Reform Bill
12:15 pm
Mark Harper (Shadow Minister, Work & Pensions; Forest of Dean, Conservative)
I thought that was what had happened. Thank you for clarifying that, Mr. Hood. The Minister was good to set things out. It would be beneficial if CMEC made more accurate decisions in the first place and fewer were appealed. If CMEC and the Tribunals Service dealt with appealed decisions more swiftly, the problems would be minimised. We do not have the power to do that by tabling new clauses, but doing so has enabled the hon. Member for Rochdale to make his points and I support him.
When the Minister supplies us with the information, it will be helpful to see what the delays are. The Minister’s best argument—and why I will not press the new clause to a Division—was about how taking decision making away from CMEC would effectively remove the right to appeal. On reflection, I think that the Minister has made a good point. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.