Examination of witnesses (Questions 157 - 159)
WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH 1998
MRS LYNNE
MALEKMIAN, MRS
LESLEY BURTON
and MR JAMES
MCDONALD
Chairman
157. Ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry to rush you but
can I reconvene the public evidence session on the Disability
Living Allowance for a second session. We specifically asked as
a Committee if we could have an opportunity to have a conversation
with some people who were being served by the system to try and
find out for ourselves just exactly how the system serves them.
It is easier for us perhaps to talk to representatives than to
talk to academics but I think it is very important in the course
of the Committee's work that we actually get a view from the sharp
end as it were. We are very grateful to Lesley Burton, to Lynne
Malekmian and James McDonald who I am sure is a fellow Scot from
his name.
(Mr McDonald) Yes.
158. We are very grateful to you for coming and sharing
some time with us this morning. I think Lesley might be a bit
challenged by the room temperature. I would be grateful if the
three of you could make a very short introductory few remarks
about how you are finding the Disability Living Allowance as a
benefit and particularly how the Benefit Integrity Project may
be affecting you personally. Maybe because Lesley, I know, is
having a bit of a problem with the temperature—
(Mrs Burton) It is okay.
159. Are you all right? I thought it might be easier
to start with you.
(Mrs Burton) It is the smoky atmosphere.
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