HC Deb 31 January 1994 vol 236 cc615-6
37. Mr. Skinner

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what further plans he has for the election of magistrates and judges.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The Government have no plans for the election of magistrates or judges, and do not consider that elections would provide a suitable basis for appointment or be compatible with the principle of judicial independence.

Mr. Skinner

Can there be another country in the world like our aristocratic society, with all the incestuousness of freemason-type judges looking after number one? It is like a family circle; they put their friends in as the next in line. Surely, if the Government want to deal with the Roger Levitts and the Ernest Saunders of this world, and with all those other City crooks who are part of the Tory fraternity, the best thing to do is to ensure that the judges are elected. If the Government believe in a classless society, let them put it into practice.

Mr. Taylor

It is not the purpose of judges to be representative of the community. They are selected for their ability, legal expertise and personal qualities, including the quality of having the ability to relate to people from all walks of life.

Sir Anthony Grant

While wholly rejecting all the tomfoolery about electing magistrates, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that not everybody is wholly happy with the method of appointing magistrates? Is he aware that a large and increasing number of people are anxious and have the time, the ability and the experience to serve on the bench but are rejected on the ground of age? Many people do not want to be tried by young oiks of some sort but by people with experience. Can my hon. Friend assure the House that there is no question of the disease of ageism spreading to the appointment of magistrates?

Mr. Taylor

I am not in favour of ageism or oikism or any other ism in this context. As my hon. Friend knows, magistrates are appointed from among those who offer themselves for service and the age limit was not set by the Lord Chancellor but by the House.