§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what training magistrates receive for dealing with motoring offenders in the ways most effective for reducing re-offending. [96641]
§ Jane Kennedy[holding answer 3 November 1999]: The training of magistrates is the responsibility of the magistrates courts committees within a framework approved by the Lord Chancellor. Magistrates must acquire specified competences necessary to perform their role, some of which relate to motoring offences. Magistrates also have access to detailed sentencing guidelines, produced by the Magistrates Association, some of which are specific to traffic offences. Magistrates are made aware of the availability of national and local initiatives which are designed to re-educate motoring offenders.