§ 50. Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial tribunals sat during the first eight months of 1973; and what proportion no longer contains an official trade union nominee.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithIn this period industrial tribunals in England, Wales and Scotland heard 5,070 cases in which they reached decisions. Information is not available about the proportion of cases heard by tribunals which did not include a trade unionist.
§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will review the method of appointing members of industrial tribunals so as to provide for a minimum of five years' practice as a barrister or solicitor or a similar period in industry or in the field of industrial relations in the United Kingdom, and replace those who do not conform to these qualifications.
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§ Mr. Dudley SmithNo. Legal expertise is provided by the tribunal chairmen who are barristers or solicitors of not less than seven years' standing. While most panel members have at least five years' experience of employment in industry or commerce, to restrict membership in the way suggested would unduly limit the field of selection.