HC Deb 27 July 1999 vol 336 cc117-8
34. Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet)

What steps the Lord Chancellor takes to ensure the political independence of the judiciary. [91632]

The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Mr. Keith Vaz)

The Lord Chancellor takes every measure to protect the independence of the judiciary, including by ensuring that our judicial appointments system is based solely on merit. For example, as I shall be announcing later to the House, he has asked Sir Leonard Peach, until recently the Commissioner for Public Appointments, to provide a report to him on the operation of the appointments procedures in relation to Queen's counsel and judicial appointments.

As I said earlier, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor recently restated the role of his office in a speech to the third worldwide judiciary conference at Edinburgh on 5 July.

Sir Sydney Chapman

I am grateful for that assurance. As planning inspectors are involved in a judicial capacity—albeit on matters relating to town and country planning—does the Minister share my outrage that a recent advertisement asking people to apply to become planning inspectors included the phrase, "Freemasons need not apply"? The Minister may say that this is a matter for the Deputy Prime Minister. However, as it is such an outrageous unfairness, may I ask him to ask the Lord Chancellor to consult the Deputy Prime Minister on the incident?

Mr. Vaz

I have not seen the advertisement so it is extremely difficult to comment on it. As the hon. Gentleman correctly realises, this is a matter for the planning inspectorate and for my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister. However, if the hon. Gentleman sends me the advertisement, I will have a look at it.

Dr. Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde)

Is not the independence of the judiciary from political sniping particularly important when a judge is conducting an independent tribunal? My question is prompted by the sniping by some at Lord Saville, who is conducting the Bloody Sunday inquiry.

Mr. Vaz

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Of course the judiciary is above party politics. As I have said on numerous occasions in this House, our judiciary is the best in the world. We have people of the highest quality who are full of integrity. It is quite wrong for people to attack judges in that way, knowing that they do not have the means to reply.

Mr. David Heath (Somerton and Frome)

Is not it right that independence is best guaranteed by the appointments procedure? Would not it be better if in the appointment of judges there were more transparency; if in the appointment of magistrates we adhered to the system of equity that is in place; and if appointments to the shrievalty were not done at all, as they are a waste of time?

Mr. Vaz

Our system is a good one, and I can see no flaws in it. It produces people of merit on the High Court Bench and in the magistracies. I am happy, as is the Lord Chancellor, for the procedures to continue in this way.