§ 5. Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications for pre-hearing assessments there have been since their introduction; how many such applications have been granted; and of those granted how many have been disposed of before going on to a full industrial tribunal.
§ Mr. WaddingtonFrom l October 1980 to 30 April 1981, 927 pre-hearing assessments were called, of which 413 were on the application of a party. No information is available on the number of applications refused. 518 of the 927 cases were disposed of before going to a full tribunal hearing.
§ Mr. JannerIs it not clear that the biggest deterrent to the bringing of unfair dismissal claims is that people know that once they have brought such claims they are unlikely ever to get another job?
§ Mr. WaddingtonI do not think that is true. There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that when a person has brought an unfair dismissal claim against one employer, he finds difficulty getting employment with another. I have given the hon. and learned Gentleman the figures that 971 he wanted. The presidents of the industrial tribunals are pleased with the way that the pre-hearing assessments are working.