HC Deb 11 February 1998 vol 306 cc251-2W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the reasons(a) which require solicitor QCs to wear wigs in court and (b) prohibit solicitor advocates from doing so. [27829]

Mr. Hoon

Queen's Counsel, banisters and solicitors all continue to wear their traditional court dress. The fact that solicitors may now exercise rights of audience in the higher courts is not a reason to extend the wearing of wigs in court. Queen's Counsel, whether banisters or solicitors, have their own distinctive ceremonial and court dress, which differs from that of the outer Bar. There is no reason why solicitor QCs should be expected to dress differently from other QCs.