§ Mr. WelshTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the number of industrial tribunal decisions which are fully complied with within a period of two months from the tribunal decision. [21174]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyMy Department does not generally collect data on the payment of awards. However, the most recent survey of Industrial Tribunal Applications (the 1992 Survey of Industrial Tribunal Applications, Employment Department Research Series No. 22) reported that the median time for payment of awards as a lump sum was 7 to 14 days after the hearing. Once an award is made, the payment is a matter for the parties and it can be enforced through the civil courts in the normal manner. To help ensure prompt payment, awards which are paid late attract interest.
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what mechanisms are available to ensure the enforcement of industrial tribunal decisions. [21175]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyIndustrial tribunal awards of money are enforced through the normal mechanisms of the civil courts. In Scotland they are enforced in the same manner as extract decrees arbitral. This means that if payment is not made the creditor may proceed to diligence without requiring to refer to the civil courts for a decree. Diligence is effected in the normal manner for civil debts. To help ensure prompt payment, awards which are paid late will attract interest.
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to introduce procedures to allow for easier enforcement of industrial tribunal decisions; and if she will make a statement. [21176]
176W
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyI have no plans to change the procedures for the enforcement of industrial tribunal decisions. Monetary awards are enforced in a similar way to other awards made by the civil courts.