§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether there are any cases awaiting judgment pending against him in (a) European courts outside the United Kingdom and (b) the European Commission of Human Rights; if he will list any such cases in the Official Report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe European Commission has instituted proceedings before the European Court of Justice alleging that United Kingdom legislation for which my right hon. Friend is primarily responsible does not comply with the equal treatment directive, which provides for the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for women as regards access to employment, vocational training, promotion and working conditions. The Government have expressed the view that United Kingdom legislation already complies with the directive. In addition, two cases against the United Kingdom, involving a total of seven applicants, which involve matters for which my right hon. Friend is primarily responsible are currently outstanding before the European Commission of Human Rights. The cases concerned are Eaton and others v the United Kingdom and John C. Reidv the United Kingdom. Both involve dismissals from closed shop employment for which there was no domestic remedy during the currency of the last Government's Trade Union and Labour Relations Acts 1974 and 1976, but for which there would have been a domestic remedy had the Employment Act 1980 been in force at the time. The Government are seeking to secure a friendly settlement of both cases.