HC Deb 16 November 1978 vol 958 cc316-8W
Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial tribunals were held under the terms of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 and the Employment Protection Act 1975 in England and Wales and in Scotland, respectively, for the latest year for which figures are available; and in what proportion of these cases, respectively, there were one or more adjournments to a later date.

Mr. Golding

The numbers of tribunals held under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 and the Employment Protection Act 1975 during 1977 were as followsEngland and Wales—14,151 Scotland—1,950

The actual proportion of cases under these two Acts adjourned to another day is not available. The estimated percentages are as follows: England and Wales—20 per cent. Scotland—8 per cent.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average length of industrial tribunals held under the terms of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 and Employment Protection Act 1975 in England and Wales, and in Scotland, respectively, for the most convenient recent period.

Mr. Golding

The average length of hearings in Scotland during mid-October to mid-November 1978, was two hours and fifty five minutes. Corresponding information for England and Wales is not yet available but my hon. Friend the Minister of State will be writing to my hon. Friend with this information as soon as possible.

Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial tribunals were held in terms of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 and the Employment Protection Act 1975 in England and Wales, and Scotland, respectively, in which the applicants were represented by a solicitor and a barrister or advocate, for the most convenient recent period available; and what percentages these represent of the total number of cases heard.

Mr. Golding

This information is not available for hearings under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 and Employment Protection Act 1975 alone. The percentages of all applicants who had legally qualified representatives at hearings during October 1978 were as followsEngland and Wales 33 per cent. Scotland 40 per cent.