§ 1993. Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost of ACAS during each year since its creation; and what is the expected cost in(a) 1992 and (b)
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe information requested is set out in the following table:
Cost £ million1 (a) Historical costs 21974–75 1.3 1975–76 3.4 1976–77 8.0 1977–78 8.6 1978–79 9.4 1979–80 10.6 1980–81 11.8 1981–82 10.7 1982–83 11.7 1983–84 12.3 1984–85 12.6 1985–86 13.1 1986–87 14.4 1987–88 15.2 1988–89 15.9 1989–90 16.5 1990–91 17.7 1991–92 19.5 (b) Estimated costs: 1992–93 21.7 1 Total net costs of ACAS. Figures do not include the costs of the Certification Officer or of the Central Arbitration Committee. 2 2 September 1974 to 31 March 1975. Figures for 1993–94 will be published in the Government's expenditure plans (Employment Department Group Report) early next year.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many conciliation officers have been employed by ACAS during each year since its creation; how many it employs now; and how many it expects to employ in 1993.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI am told by the chairman of ACAS that all higher executive officers (HEOs) employed by the service in its regional organisation are nominated as 727W conciliation officers under section 211(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, although not all are employed full-time on conciliation work. Records of the total number of HEOs employed are not available before 1983.
Year Number of HEOs on operational work 1983 221 1984 216 1985 203 1986 204 1987 200 1988 190 1989 184 1990 185 1991 181 1992 191 The figures given are calculated on the average number of HEOs in post over the first half of the calendar year in question. This year it is estimated that 92 per cent. of all HEO operational time is being employed on conciliation. This proportion is expected to be higher in 1993.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how the role of ACAS has changed since its foundation; and what further changes are proposed.
§ Mr. McLoughlinSince its creation as an independent statutory body, by the Employment Protection Act 1975, there have been three main changes to the statutory role of ACAS. First, the provisions in the 1975 Act relating to ACAS's role in the determination of claims for trade union recognition were repealed by the Employment Act 1980. Secondly, ACAS's role in undertaking inquiries into questions concerning Wages Councils was ended by the Wages Act 1986. Thirdly, ACAS's role in seeking to promote the settlement of complaints without them having to be determined by an industrial tribunal has been extended by a variety of enactments.
As to the future, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 1 December, Official Report, columns 132–33, to my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Riddick). If there are to be any further changes, they will be made after consultation with the ACAS Council.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many and what percentage of ACAS conciliation officers have portable telephones and word processors; and what plans there are to increase these provisions.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI am told by the chairman of ACAS that no portable telephones are in use by conciliation officers. Most conciliation officers have access to personal computers. Replacement of the service's current computing systems is scheduled for 1993.