HC Deb 09 June 1978 vol 951 cc251-2W
Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial tribunals are now established; how many full-time chairmen have been appointed and how many part-time members; how many and what percentage of such members are women; and how many and what percentage were appointed pursuant to nominations made by the TUC and the CBI, respectively.

Mr. Harold Walker

There is no fixed total number of industrial tribunals since each tribunal is convened, as required, from a panel of chairmen and two panels of lay members. On average 74 tribunals currently sit in Great Britain every working day. Seventy-two full-time chairmen including 2 women—3 per cent.—have been appointed for England and Wales by the Lord Chancellor and nine full-time chairmen including one woman—11 per cent.—have been appointed for Scotland by the Lord President. There are 2,448 lay members of whom 494–20 per cent.—are women. 1,137–46 per cent.—appointments have been made below the general level; how many and what percentage of such claims were successful; and what were the equivalent figures for claims under the Fair Wages Resolution during the same period.

Mr. Harold Walker

I am informed that up to 30th April 1978 the Central Arbitration Committee had heard some 375 cases under Schedule 11 and 190 under the Fair Wages Resolution.

The following information relates to awards made up to that date of which my Department has details:

pursuant to nominations made by the TUC and an identical number and percentage on the nomination of the CBI.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases were heard by industrial tribunals in each year from 1965 to 1977, respectively; and how many cases it is expected that the tribunals will determine in the year 1978.

Mr. Harold Walker

The number of cases heard by industrial tribunals involving all jurisdictions in each year from 1965 to 1977 is as follows:

1965 500
1966 5,356
1967 8,496
1968 8,591
1969 7,726
1970 8,632
1971 7,383
1972 7,745
1973 7,188
1974 6,857
1975 12,518
1976 19,234
1977 18,962

If trends so far this year are maintained it is expected that the total for 1978 will be rather lower than for 1977.