§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how much money has been expended in connection with legal costs as a result of settled and on-going actions on the foot of orders from a fair employment or industrial tribunal since the appointment of the present chief executive of the Green Park HSS healthcare trust; [25555]
(2) how much money has been expended in connection with legal costs incurred as a result of settlements out of court, settled and on-going actions in respect of fair employment and industrial tribunal actions since the appointment of the present chief executive of the Green Park HSS healthcare trust. [25556]
§ Mr. MossSince 1993, the trust has been provided with legal services by the legal department, Central Services Agency. The services were provided through a standard yearly agreement. In addition, the trust purchased ad hoc services from another legal source.
The costs of legal services in respect of fair employment and industrial tribunal cases do not appear as a separate element of the agreement with the Central Services Agency irrespective of how much or how little the service has been utilised. Our counsel fees can be identified. However, it is normal practice for any counsel involved on behalf of the trust, whether through the Central Services Agency or through the ad hoc 112W arrangement, to bill for services at the conclusion of the case. Any information that could therefore be provided in relation to legal services would be incomplete.
§ Mr. RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been expended on the foot of orders from a fair employment or industrial tribunal since the appointment of the present chief executive of the Green Park HSS healthcare trust. [25557]
§ Mr. MossThe trust was ordered to pay costs amounting to £270.25 in relation to its non-compliance with an order for discovery of documents concerning an ongoing case. The issue arose in 1994. No other moneys have been paid on foot of orders by a fair employment or industrial tribunal since the appointment of the present chief executive.
§ Mr. RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been expended in connection with out-of-court settlements in respect of fair employment or industrial tribunal actions since the appointment of the present chief executive of the Green Park HSS Healthcare Trust. [25558]
§ Mr. MossOut-of-court settlements in respect of fair employment or industrial tribunal actions since the appointment of the present chief executive of Green Park HSS healthcare trust are shown in the table.
Number of cases Type of case Date lodged Date settled Amount of settlements £ 21 Fair employment 1992 1994 40, 000 21 Sex discrimination 11 Trade union activities 1 Sex discrimination 1991 1993 2,000 1 Unfair dismissal 1994 1996 2,000 1 Fair employment 1994 1996 1,500 1Lodged by same party.