HL Deb 20 November 1984 vol 457 cc565-6WA
Lord Harris of High Cross

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they agree that the award (Case number 5979/84) by the industrial tribunal in favour of Miss J. A. Hayward against Cammell Laird Shipbuilders could prove an expensive precedent if applied by the Equal Opportunities Commission to the unlimited number of other cases where arbitrary comparisons might be made between wholly dissimilar jobs.

The Minister Without Portfolio (Lord Young of Graffham)

The Equal Pay (Amendment) Regulations 1983, under which this case was heard, were framed so as to restrict successful claims to cases where an employee paid a woman (or man) less for work of equal value for reasons rooted in sex discrimination. Tribunal decisions are binding only in relation to the individual applicant and it is for the employers to resolve any broader implications for their pay structure. Subsequent equal pay cases will be considered by tribunals on their merits, with full regard to the facts of the particular case. Decisions of industrial tribunals do not constitute precedents; tribunals hearing future cases are bound only by decisions of the higher courts.

Lord Harris of High Cross

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the fee of the independent expert, and the other costs to the Exchequer, in the case between Miss J. A. Hayward and Cammell Laird Shipbuilders before the industrial tribunal.

Lord Young of Graffham

This information is not yet available. I will write to the noble Lord as soon as payment is made.

Lord Harris of High Cross

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the qualifications and experience of Mr. Terence Anthony Dillon, who acted as independent expert in the case between Miss J. A. Hayward and Cammell Laird Shipbuilders before the industrial tribunal.

Lord Young of Graffham

Mr. Dillon is one of a panel of 15 independent experts established by ACAS in 1984 under the Equal Pay (Amendment) Regulations 1983. Candidates for this panel were selected after public advertisements which elicited 1,300 inquiries.

Candidates were required to establish experience of industrial relations, and in particular to show a thorough knowledge and experience of job evaluation techniques and payment systems.

Their role as an independent expert requires impartiality, integrity and an ability to deal with and command the respect of all types of employees, employers, trade union officials and their legal representatives.

Mr. Dillon, who is a staff tutor in industrial relations at University College, North Wales, Bangor, satisfies these requirements.