To ask Her Majesty's Government how many employers did not pay compensation awarded by tribunals in the period from 2003 to 2008; and what action they propose to ensure that enforcement against non-compliant employers takes place. [HL4117]

Employment tribunals are adjudicating bodies and are not responsible for enforcing their awards or orders of costs. The Tribunals Service, therefore, does not hold data relating to the number of employers who did not pay compensation awarded at employment tribunals.

However, recent research into this issue by the Ministry of Justice showed that, at the time they were interviewed, 39 per cent of claimants who participated in the research had been awarded a monetary payment which had not been paid by the employer.

The Government have streamlined the enforcement process for claimants and are currently in discussion with the High Court Enforcement Officers Association to develop a service which will enable claimants to commission a High Court enforcement officer to enforce their award as soon as the respondent fails to make payment. This was set out in my Written Statement on 19 May 2009 (Official Report, col. WS 111).