HC Deb 11 March 1994 vol 239 cc432-3W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will direct industrial tribunals to sit in private where cases of sexual discrimination are being heard.

Miss Widdecombe

No. The general principle is that complaints of sexual discrimination, like all other complaints to industrial tribunals, should be heard in open court. However, sections 40 and 41 of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 give industrial tribunals and the employment appeal tribunal new discretionary powers to prevent those making or affected by allegations of sexual misconduct from being identified in media reports.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek to amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to provide for compensation in cases of unintentional, indirect discrimination.

Miss Widdecombe

This matter is under consideration.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek to extend the remedies available under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to include reinstatement and re-engagement.

Miss Widdecombe

The option of recommending reinstatement or re-engagement is already available to industrial tribunals under section 65(1)(c) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and a respondent's failure to comply without reasonable justification may lead to an increase in the amount of compensation awarded.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will expand the support services of the Equal Opportunities Commission in relation to its work for the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

Miss Widdecombe

The Equal Opportunities Commission received grant-in-aid of £5.794 million for 1993–94, and will receive £5.949 million in 1994–95. Within the limits set by the Sex Discrimination Act, the EOC determines its own priorities and allocates resources within its overall budget.