§ Ms PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultation he has had with the Industrial Tribunal Service since May 1997 regarding age discrimination; and when he expects to consult it regarding the draft code on age diversity in employment. [62316]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithMy Officials wrote to the Presidents of the Employment Tribunals in October of this year asking for initial reactions to a draft non-statutory Code of Practice on tackling age diversity and asking whether it raised issues for the Tribunals. The Presidents were subsequently sent copies of the published consultation document soon after its launch.
Employment Tribunals are independent bodies who are practised in determining the reasonableness of employment practices in particular cases. Their views, informed by their expertise in this area, will, therefore, provide contribution to the consultation exercise.