§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will review the limit on awards available to tribunals in racial discrimination cases.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Government announced on 1 November 1993 that they would seek a suitable opportunity to remove the limit on compensation which may be awarded by industrial tribunals in racial discrimination cases, and to allow interest to be included in compensation awards.
The Government are supporting a Private Members' Bill, the Race Relations (Remedies) Bill, introduced by the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 16 December 1993, which offers an early opportunity to pursue the Government's own objective in this area. The Bill had its Second Reading, Committee and Report stages on Friday 18 February. If it is passed by Parliament, commencement will be by the autumn of this year.
At present, the limit on compensatory awards is reviewed each year, although there is no compulsion to do so.