§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in reducing the backlog of cases waiting to be heard by the Fair Employment Tribunal. [117353]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 3 April 2000]: The number of Fair Employment cases waiting to be heard has remained broadly the same for a number of years. In order to improve the situation, the number of FET panel members was increased from 30 to 90 in 1999, three more tribunal rooms were made available at the end of 1999 and the number of cases listed for hearing was increased by 25 per cent. Work is in hand to appoint three additional part-time FE Tribunal Chairmen. It is hoped that the number of cases outstanding will soon begin to be reduced as a result of these changes.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to ensure adequacy of funding and resources for the Fair Employment Tribunal. [117352]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 3 April 2000]: The resource needs of the Fair Employment Tribunal are considered as part of the public expenditure survey process each year and the allocations made are in line with the Tribunals' needs.