asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to appoint a person under schedule 1 to the Employment Bill to advise him on applications for compensation in relation to past closed shop dismissals; and who that person will be.

Once the Bill has received Royal Assent and with effect from 1 November 1982, I intend to appoint Mr. J. B. H. Billam CB, DEC, LL.B—Barrister—on his retirement as legal adviser to the Department of Employment, to inquire into and report on questions arising in connection with applications for compensation made under section 2 and schedule 1 to the Employment Bill, in respect of dismissals from a closed shop between 1974 and 1980.