§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he intends to take to shorten the time taken through the employment appeal tribunal procedure for equal pay for equal value cases to be dealt with.
§ Mr. NichollsAppeals to the employment appeal tribunal in equal pay cases come to a hearing in the same time as other cases and there is no reason for such appeals to be given precedence. However, the Government are concerned to remedy any unreasonable delays and after consultation with the Lord Chancellor and the senior judiciary it has now been agreed that additional judge time will be provided. This should enable the employment appeal tribunal to reduce the time taken for all cases.