§ Mr. WelshTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if she will make a statement on recent changes to expenses made payable to appellants and their representatives attending industrial tribunals; and if she will outline what plans she has to ensure that those attending industrial tribunals can claim travel and subsistence allowances; [10308]
(2) what assessment she has made of the impact of the removal of certain travel and subsistence allowances for those attending industrial tribunals as representatives of voluntary bodies; and if she will make a statement. [10309]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyChanges to the expenses payable to parties and witnesses appearing before industrial tribunals were announced on 17 February 1997,Official Report, column 374, and came into effect on 1 April 1997. A range of expenses and allowances is payable, including the cost of travel by public transport or mileage expenses, a loss of earnings allowance and, where appropriate, an overnight subsistence allowance. Expenses are not normally paid to parties' representatives although, exceptionally, payment may be made to unpaid representatives of bodies such as citizens advice bureaux and free representation units which claim expenses on the same basis as parties and witnesses. No assessment has yet been made of the impact of the changes on such bodies.
The Government recognise the importance of ensuring that parties are able to attend and present their cases before industrial tribunals. The arrangements for expenses and allowances to parties and witnesses will be kept under review.