§ Mr. Whitneyasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases in the 12 months ended 30 September have been brought into industrial tribunals on the recommendation of the Equal Opportunities Commission; and in what percentage of those cases judgment was given against the employer.
§ Mr. Mayhew[pursuant to his reply, 30 November 1979, c. 809]: Any person who feels that he has been discriminated against can take a case to an industrial tribunal without reference to the Equal Opportunities Commission, though that body may give advice or assistance. In the period 1 January 1978 to 31 December 1978, the last period for which published figures are available, 67 cases under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and 80 cases under the Equal Pay Act 1970 were heard by tribunals. The tribunals found in favour of the applicant in 14 and 24 cases respectively. I do no know in how many the Equal Opportunities Commission had been concerned. I am asking the chairman of the Commission to write to my hon. Friend.