§ Lord Mancroftasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether members of the judiciary, both inside and outside the House of Lords, are holders of public office in terms of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. [HL2238]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)Members of the judiciary are holders of public office and are, therefore, within the ambit of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. The committee, however, has not sought to consider the position of the judiciary as such. In considering any recommendations the committee might make, the Government would have due regard to the constitutional position of the judiciary and in particular to the key constitutional principle of judicial independence. Lords of Appeal fall within the committee's terms of reference both as holders of public office and as members of the Upper House.