TRIBUNALS

That this House recalls the relatively recent establishment of the Tribunals Service which has already led to responsibility for many larger tribunals, including employment tribunals transferring to it, with the remaining ones to follow in a phased programme of integration; is also aware of the various interconnected reviews which are taking place in this process; is concerned that such examinations should not lessen the important contribution made by lay members, in particular the long-standing practice of tripartite decision-making, especially concerning employment problems relating to grievance, discipline and/or discrimination cases; believes the purpose of such a service would not be best served by the replacement of this structure with one of judges sitting alone to decide cases; and calls on the Government not to downgrade the role of lay members on such bodies but instead to enhance this unique form of democratic due process.