asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the increase in the number of complaints under equal pay legislation in Northern Ireland following the recent implementation of the amendment regulations in 1984; and what extra financial provision has been made to enable the Commission to fulfil its extra statutory obligations.
Before the introduction of the Equal Pay (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984 the number of inquiries/complaints to the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland under the equal pay legislation averaged 26 a year. It increased in 1984–85 by 16 to 42. During the seven-month period to 31 October 1985 there were 48 inquiries/complaints.In 1984–85 the commission received £250,000, an increase of 9·6 per cent. over its 1983–84 provision of £228,000. The provision for 1985–86 is £272,500, a 19·5 per cent. increase over 1983–84. The detailed allocation of the commission's budget (including any annual increase) across its various activities, is primarily a matter for the commission.