§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the 26 per cent. reduction in unfair dismissal complaints and the 72 per cent. failure rate of unfair dismissal complaints heard by industrial tribunals, he will take steps to redress the balance in favour of dismissed employees.
§ Mr. MayhewNo. The reduction in the number of unfair dismissal complaints is the result of the increase in the qualifying period of service from six months to one year before such complaints may be made. This change took effect on 1 October 1979. I believe the increased qualifying period of one year to be the right period. The 72 per cent. "failure rate" reflects the tribunals' judgment as to the merits of individual complaints. This percentage has not varied materially over the last seven years. I do not consider that justice requires that 50 per cent. of claims should succeed and that 50 per cent. should fail.