In 1988, 1,440 individual applications for assistance following alleged discrimination were registered with the Commission, of which 982 were employment-related, 449 arose in areas other than employment and 9 were outside the scope of the Race Relations Act. In the same year, the Commission's Complaints Committee, which considers each application registered, dealt with 950 employment-related cases and 453 non-employment cases. Of these, the Committee decided that 261 complaints should not receive any assistance, 800 should receive no further assistance, and 254 should be helped with legal representation. Eighty-eight cases were withdrawn. In 1988, of the cases supported by the Commission (which included some pre-1988 cases), 41 were successful after hearing, 74 were settled on agreed terms and 57 were dismissed after hearing.
42. Decisions made at industrial tribunals or county courts are binding on the parties concerned. Decisions made by the appellate courts are taken into account by Government in the formulation of policy, and any practices by Government or others which are found to be discriminatory as a result of a court ruling are altered accordingly.
Rights of aliens
43. Anyone who is not a British citizen but who has indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom is entitled to stay without limitations as to time, place of residence, right to seek employment or to engage in business. Anyone so entitled is able to take advantage of the full range of benefits and health care. They are not, however, able to vote in local or national elections: this right is available only to British, Irish or Commonwealth citizens.
Employment of women - underground mining
44. On 21 August 1989, the Government informed the Council of Europe of its decision to denounce with effect from 26 February 1990 its acceptance of article 8, paragraph 4 (b), of the European Social Charter, which reads: "With a view to ensuring the effective exercise of the right of employed women to protection, the contracting parties undertake to prohibit the employment of women workers in underground mining and, as appropriate, on all other work which is unsuitable for them by reason of its dangerous, unhealthy or arduous nature."
45. The Government's decision is based on its continuing commitment to removing unnecessary and outdated barriers to employment and to extending opportunities to women. It believes that the current restrictions on the employment of women in underground mining, rather than being protective, are outdated and discriminatory and act as a disincentive to employment opportunities. There is no question of reducing meaningful protection. Indeed, the Government is concerned to ensure that restrictions continue in force where it is satisfied that there are good health and safety reasons for their retention.