HC Deb 13 March 1989 vol 149 c14
58. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about the recruitment of magistrates.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister of Trade and Industry (Mr. Anthony Newton)

My responsibility for the appointment of magistrates covers the shire county of Lancashire and the districts within the metropolitan counties of Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

Any member of the public may serve as a magistrate. I am advised on the appointment of magistrates by advisory committees within the areas for which I am responsible. When a vacancy occurs, the relevant advisory committee puts forward recommendations to me.

Those who are appointed to a bench would normally expect to serve until their 70th birthday.

Mr. Bennett

Does the Minister accept that, especially in the Stockport part of my constituency and to a certain extent in the Tameside part, it appears that magistrates are not fairly appointed from all the wards in the local authority areas but tend to come from the more affluent areas? What steps will he take to ensure that there is proper representation on the bench in wards such as Brinnington and north and south Reddish?

Mr. Newton

The hon. Gentleman will understand that although we are anxious to have a proper geographical, social and occupational spread of magistrates we cannot force people to serve. As I think the hon. Gentleman knows, there has been some difficulty in obtaining enough recommendations from some parts of the area with which he is concerned. I am grateful for his efforts to put forward or encourage recommendations over the years. A substantial number of the suggestions that have come from or through him have led to appointments. If the hon. Gentleman can give us any more help, it will be most welcome.

Mr. Skinner

How many of the magistrates appointed wear little aprons and roll up their trouser legs? What percentage of them are freemasons? Instead of appointing magistrates, why are they not chosen by ballot?

Mr. Newton

I do not know how many of the magistrates in that or any other area for which I am responsible are freemasons. I certainly do not think that they should be ruled out on those grounds.