§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if part-time chairmen of industrial tribunals have been stopped from hearing cases; what is the current waiting time for a hearing date; and to what extent the waiting time has changed in recent months.
§ Mr. ForthRestrictions on the use of part-time chairmen were lifted on 9 November. Information on recent waiting times is not yet available.
§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much further funding has been received by the industrial tribunals; and what plans he has to review the amount further in the rest of the financial year.
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§ Mr. ForthThe budget of the industrial tribunals (England and Wales) has been increased by £750,000. This will enable the tribunals to operate normally for the rest of the financial year.