Written question asked by Lord Wedderburn of Charlton (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 November 1999. It was answered by Lord Sainsbury of Turville (Labour) on Thursday, 4 November 1999.

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Sainsbury of Turville, Lord

Question

(a) What is the status of the document Explanatory Notes to the Employment Relations Act 1999 and of its explanations and comments on the Act; (b) whether the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) or the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) will be expected to comply with, or pay special attention to, its interpretations on points of law; (c) whether Ministers are among those responsible for the interpretations offered in it, and what liability, if any, the Government envisage arising from any erroneous interpretations, in particular any which are found to conflict with decisions of the courts or tribunals or with appropriate advice offered to parties involved in the application of the Act or with government statements made to Parliament; and (d) what consultations, if any, those responsible for the document had, before its publication, with the CAC or with established legal publishers, the social partners or other persons interested in the Act. [HL 4309].

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Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL 4309; 606 c99-100WA

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Courts ACAS Liability Law Legal opinion Ministerial responsibility Publications Explanatory notes Central Arbitration Committee

Legislation

Employment Relations Act 1999