HC Deb 03 April 2001 vol 366 c174W
41. Ms Rosie Winterton

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps she is taking to increase the number of lay magistrates. [155212]

Jane Kennedy

The numbers of justices required in any one area of the country is determined locally depending on the workload of the courts. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has no present plans to seek to increase the number of justices generally. If my hon. Friend has any specific problems in mind I would be happy to discuss these further with her.