§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the cost of employing full- and part-time staff, lawyers, members of tribunals and others likely to be considered necessary to operate the provisions of the Industrial Relations Bill when it becomes law; and what advertisements he has so far authorised, with what purpose and at what cost.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe cost of implementing the Bill will be of the order of £5 million per annum, which is almost entirely made up of staffing costs, including accommodation and other incidentals. Fuller details are contained in the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum to the Bill.
Apart from notices published (at no cost to Government funds) by the Bar Council and the Law Society at the request of my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, asking for names of lawyers interested in appointment as Chairmen of Industrial Tribunals, no advertisements have been authorised.
§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Industrial Relations Bill will be affected when Great Britain joins the Common Market.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithI have no reason to suppose that it would be affected in any way, if Britain becomes a member of the European Economic Community.