HC Deb 22 November 1977 vol 939 cc713-4W
83. Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in how many cases of dismissal on grounds (a) of gross misconduct and (b) of conviction in the courts for misconduct, the Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled the dismissal to be unfair; and in how many such cases dismissals were ruled to be unfair by industrial tribunals.

Mr. Golding

I regret the information is not available.

Unemployed for more than 26 weeks
Total unemployed School-leavers included in total Number Percentage of total, including school-leavers
January 1977 1,390,218 48,187 541,070 38.9
April 1977 1,335,635 50,356 559,115 41.9
July 1977 1,553,466 241,552 549,663 35.4
October 1977 1,456,583 92,602 557,121 38.2

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the numbers of men and women, respectively, who are available for employment, but not registered at the employment exchanges.

Mr. Golding

Figures for 1977 are not available but on the basis of the figures for recent years it is estimated that there may be approximately 75,000 men and 175,000 women, mainly married, who are seeking employment but are not regis-

Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on his policy on the payment of costs in relation to unsuccessful applications to a tribunal in cases of unfair dismissal, in the light of the need not to discourage potential applicants by the possibility of an award of costs against them.

Mr. Harold Walker

The award of costs in a tribunal hearing does not depend on the outcome of the case. Costs may be awarded only if in the opinion of the tribunal a party has acted frivolously or vexatiously, or if a party has requested a postponement of the proceedings. These arrangements are designed to deter only applicants who have no serious case.