To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many industrial tribunals relating to his Department have been held in each of the last five years; and what the total cost was of such tribunals in each such year. (309942)

The number of times the Home Office, including the UK Border Agency (UKBA), Identity and Passport Service (IPS) and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), have been taken to a full employment tribunal hearing in each of the last five years is as follows:

2004-05

Neither Home Office HQ nor UKBA hold this information centrally, which could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Neither IPS nor CRB were taken to a full employment tribunal.

2005-06

There were fewer than five full employment tribunal hearings. Further information is therefore withheld on confidentiality grounds.

2006-07

There were 10 full employment tribunal hearings.

2007-08

There were seven full employment tribunal hearings.

2008-09

There were 11 full employment tribunal hearings.

The Home Office does not maintain a central record of costs incurred in contesting employment tribunals (formerly industrial tribunals). The information required could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.