HC Deb 23 October 1987 vol 120 cc923-4W
Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average remuneration of panel members of industrial tribunals in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Nicholls

Lay members of industrial tribunals are paid on a sessional basis and their remuneration reflects the number of sessions that they sit. Members are expected to sit once every three weeks. The information on average payments is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The fees per session paid to members were £20 in 1977, £43 in 1987 and £67 for the year ending 31 March 1987.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the salaries paid to (a) the permanent chairman and (b) the part-time chairmen of industrial tribunals in (i) 1977, (ii) 1982 and (iii) the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Nicholls

Regional chairmen of industrial tribunals were paid a salary of £12,500 in 1977, £22,750 in 1982 and £41,500 as at 31 March 1987. The comparable figures for full-time chairmen of industrial tribunals were £11,750, £20,750 and £31,850 respectively, excluding London weighting. Part-time chairmen were paid fees of £45 per session day in 1977, £94 in 1982 and £145 in 1987, excluding London weighting.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total amount of compensation paid to claimants by industrial tribunals in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Nicholls

Figures for 1977 and 1982 are not available. The total amount of compensation awarded in unfair dismissal, sex and race discrimination and equal opportunity cases for the 12 months ending 31 March 1987 was £5,125,573.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of successful claimants in industrial tribunals were reinstated to their jobs in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Nicholls

The proportion of successful applicants in unfair dismissal cases who were reinstated or re-engaged was 4.5 per cent. in 1977, 3.8 per cent. in 1982 and 4.5 per cent. in the 12 months ending 31 March 1987.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average amount of compensation paid to successful claimants in industrial tribunals in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) he latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Nicholls

The median award in unfair dismissal cases was £350 in 1977, £1,201 in 1982 and £1,805 for the 12 months ending 31 March 1987.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of applicants to industrial tribunals had their cases upheld in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Nicholls

Of those claiming unfair dismissal the figures were 30.8 per cent. in 1977, 30.7 per cent. in 1982 and 33.7 per cent. for the year ending 31 March 1987. For all jurisdictions for the period ending 31 March 1987 the figure was 40.7 per cent. Figures for all jurisdictions are not available for 1977 and 1982.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases were heard by industrial tribunals in (a) 1977, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Nicholls

18,962 in 1977, 16,602 in 1982 and 13,124 for the 12 months ending 31 March 1987.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total cost of administering (a) the industrial tribunals and (b) the employment appeal tribunal in (i) 1977, (ii) 1982 and (iii) the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Nicholls

£4,541,000 and £184,000 respectively for the 12 months ending 31 March 1977; £8,830,000 and £452,000 for the 12 months ending 31 March 1982; and £12,913,658 and £723,069 for the 12 months ending 31 March 1987. The 1977 and 1982 figures exclude accommodation and associated services which were borne by the Property Services Agency. In the case of the Employment Appeal Tribunal the figures also exclude judicial salaries which are borne by the Lord Chancellor's Department.