HC Deb 08 December 1976 vol 922 cc244-5W
Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many and what percentage of unfair dismissal and redundancy cases, respectively, are settled before reaching trial.

Mr. Harold Walker

In the period from October 1974 to June 1976, 26,869 complaints in which unfair dismissal was alleged were disposed of prior to an industrial tribunal hearing. This figure represents about 64 per cent. of all such complaints. No comparative figures are available for applications under the Redundancy Payments Act 1965.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many and what percentage of unfair dismissal claims and redundancy claims, respectively, have succeeded; and what percentage have failed during each of the six-month periods for which records are available since the coming into force of the unfair dismissal rules then contained in the Industrial Relations Act 1971.

Mr. Harold Walker

Following is the information in respect of complaints of alleged unfair dismissal:

fair dismissal claims have succeeded before the Employment Appeal Tribunal and how many and what percentage have failed; how many of such successes and how many of such failures were unfair dismissal claims; and how many and what percentage were redundancy claims.

Mr. Harold Walker

During the period from 30th March 1976 to 30th November 1976 the Employment Appeal Tribunal disposed of 191 appeals concerning unfair dismissal at hearings. Of these, 28 cases—15 per cent.—were allowed and the decision of the industrial tribunal reversed; 54 cases—28 per cent.—were allowed but were remitted to industrial tribunals; 108 cases—57 per cent.—were dismissed; and one case was withdrawn. During the same period 37 appeals concerning the Redundancy Payments Act 1965 were disposed of. Eight cases—21 per cent.—were allowed; five cases—14 per cent.—were allowed but were remitted to industrial tribunals; and 24 cases—65 per cent.—were dismissed.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in how many and what percentage of cases conciliation officers have succeeded in achieving settlements in unfair dismissal claims; and in how many and what percentage they have failed to do so.

Mr. Harold Walker

In the period from October 1974 to June 1976, 21,016 complaints to industrial tribunals involving alleged unfair dismissal were either settled by conciliation officers or were withdrawn as a result of their conciliation services. This represents about 50 per cent. of such complaints. 21,179 complaints, or about 50 per cent., were either withdrawn independently of the conciliation officers or were heard by industrial tribunals.