HC Deb 30 January 1973 vol 849 cc1146-7
11. Mr. Sydney Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many complaints of alleged unfair dismissal, under Section 22 of the Industrial Relations Act 1971 have been made to industrial tribunals since 28th February 1972; and of those where inquiries have been completed, how many complaints have been upheld.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

In the period from 28th February to 29th December 1972 the industrial tribunals referred 6,863 complaints of alleged unfair dismissal to conciliation officers of my Department. Of these, 1,153 were settled by conciliation and 1,857 were withdrawn.

Of the 733 complaints heard and determined by the tribunals up to 25th August 1972, 210 were upheld.

Mr. Chapman

I thank my hon. Friend for the figures. Does he agree that the rights of the individual are now far better protected against unfair dismissal? If so, does he think that it would be a good thing for trade unions to encourage any of their members who feel that they have a grievance to go to the industrial tribunals instead of opting out of all responsibility?

Mr. Chichester-Clark

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. If hon. Members opposite cannot bring themselves to realise the efficacy of the rest of the Act, they might acknowledge that this is of great help to individuals. I am sure that they will respond to my hon. Friend's plea that they should encourage their trade union friends to co-operate in making this process work and in helping complainants to put their cases.

Mr. Heffer

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that this part of the Act, which was originally drafted by the Labour Government, is the only part which is of any use whatsoever, and that during the industrial relations battle in this House the Opposition in no way opposed this part of the legislation but felt that in order to get full co-operation it was absolutely essential that all the other parts of it be totally withdrawn by the Government?

Mr. Chichester-Clark

I have listened to this "old hat" from the hon. Gentleman for a very long time. I do not agree with what he said about the rest of the Act. When the Labour Government produced proposals on this matter the maximum compensation which would have been awardable was infinitely less than that which is now awardable under our legislation.