§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many hours in total industrial tribunals sat in the years 1970, 1971, and 1972, respectively.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe duration of tribunal sittings is measured in session days; the number of hours involved cannot be accurately calculated. The number of session days completed in the period was:
1970 1971 1972 England and Wales 3,358 2,971 4,666 Scotland 329 260 424 Total 3,887 3,231 5,090
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment in how many cases proceedings before industrial tribunals have been withdrawn following the intervention of a conciliation officer in the period since the coming into force of the Industrial Relations Act.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithIn the period from 28th February 1972 to 18th September 1973, conciliation officers of my Department dealt with 13,470 applications under the Industrial Relations Act which were referred to them by industrial tribunals. In 2,877 they helped the parties to reach a voluntary settlement and 4,300 applications were withdrawn at this stage.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many full-time chairmen and part-time chairmen of industrial tribunals there are, and what are their salaries.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithOn 1st November 1973 there were 26 full-time chairmen—including 13 regional chairmen—and 46 185W part-time chairmen of industrial tribunals in England and Wales, and three full-time chairmen and 29 part-time chairmen in Scotland. The salaries of regional chairmen range from £8,600–£9,600 according to seniority; the salaries of other chairmen are £8,600. Part-time chairmen are paid a fee of £30 per session day.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current method of appointing chairmen of industrial tribunals.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithUnder the industrial tribunals constitutional regulations solicitors or banisters of not less than seven years' standing are eligible for appointment as chairmen in England and Wales and advocates of seven years' standing are eligible for appointment in Scotland. The selection and appointment of suitable candidates is the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor in England and Wales and of the Lord President in Scotland.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will invite reports from practising members of the Bar on the procedure and practice employed by chairmen of industrial tribunals.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithNo.