§ Mrs. Millie Millerasked the Attorney -General how many members of ethnic minority groups have been appointed justices of the peace since the present Administration took office; what proportion of such appointments this number represents; and whether he is concerned to increase this number.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am advised by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor that the general information asked for is not currently available. If the hon. Member has any particular ethnic groups or geographical areas in mind, my noble Friend will be happy to provide her with such specific information as may be available.
My noble Friend's advisory committees on justices of the peace throughout 468W the country are directed by him to pay particular attention when recommending candidates to the desirability of ensuring that the composition of magisterial benches reflects a reasonable balance of the various sections of the local community, including minority ethnic groups, which they serve. In areas in which the benches are not reasonably balanced in this or in other respects, my noble Friend is always concerned to remedy the position, provided that candidates who are in every way suitable for magisterial work are available.