§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many industrial tribunal applications were lodged against the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what the outcome was in each case; [147220]
(2) how many contested applications in industrial tribunals resulted in awards against the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and how many of these were appealed to the Court of Appeal; [147221]
(3) what criteria the Police Service of Northern Ireland uses when determining whether or not to appeal an award made by the industrial tribunal; [147222]
(4) what costs were incurred by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland in defending the industrial tribunal application by Chief Inspector Shamoon at (a) the industrial tribunal, (b) the Court of Appeal and (c) the House of Lords. [147223]
§ Jane KennedyRecords for the number of industrial tribunal applications are not available earlier than 2000–01. The following table sets out the number of applications and the current status of each case from 2000–04.
Industrial tribunal applications and current status Lodged Ongoing Withdrawn Dismissed Settled 2000–01 72 33 29 6 4 2001–02 57 30 19 2 6 2002–03 55 48 6 1 0 2003–04 50 49 0 1 0 Settlement in each of these cases was in favour of the applicant and none of the settlement awards were appealed.
The chief constable takes advice from counsel when determining whether or not to appeal an award made by an industrial tribunal. I am advised that an appeal would not be lodged unless counsel advised that it was justified.
860WThe PSNI incurred costs of £28,442.05 in respect of the industrial tribunal application by Chief Inspector Shamoon. Costs in respect of the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords were awarded against Chief Inspector Shamoon.