§ 38. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Attorney-General what directions have been issued to magistrates concerning the number of days they are expected to sit on the bench in any one year.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo directions are given to justices as to the precise number of days they are expected to sit on the bench because the needs of the courts vary from place to place. In most areas, however, justices are expected to attend their courts at least once every two weeks, on average, throughout the year.
§ Mrs. ShortIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that in some parts of the country new magistrates are asked to serve at least 40 days in the year? In view of the need to make the bench fully representative, does he not think that it is too much to expect ordinary working men and women to give at least one day's unpaid service to the bench per week? Will he look at this again?
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend would be happy to consider any case which my hon. Friend might refer to me where a particular bench has difficulty. I have given the figure of 24 times a year. It seems about right. Attendances vary from one part of the country to another. There is no indication that the present arrangements in my hon. Friend's area are creating difficulties for working-class justices, a satisfactory proportion of whom sit on the Wolverhampton bench.