§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the implications for judicial appointment procedures in England and Wales of the proposals for judicial appointments commissions for Scotland and for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [119803]
§ Jane KennedyThe Lord Chancellor is aware of the proposals for Scotland and Northern Ireland. He has decided to appoint a Commissioner for Judicial Appointments in England and Wales as recommended by Sir Leonard Peach following his scrutiny of the appointments procedures and to take forward his other recommendations for change. The Commissioner, as recommended by Sir Leonard, will give the Lord Chancellor independent and impartial advice on the full range of appointments matters. Further reform is not ruled out for the future, but not immediately planned, now that the existing system has been investigated and endorsed subject to certain changes which will be implemented and evaluated.