§ Mr. Allen:To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many lay magistrates live in each constituency in the East Midlands region. [140614]
§ Mr. Leslie:Statistical data for the magistracy are recorded by Commission Area and Bench rather than constituency. The numbers of magistrates in the Commission Areas comprising the East Midlands constituencies are as follows:
Number Derbyshire 425 Leicestershire 511 Lincolnshire 381 Northamptonshire 344 Nottinghamshire 664
§ Mr. Allen:To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps he is taking to increase the number of magistrates from working class constituencies. [140616]
§ Mr. Leslie:On 7 October 2003 the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor published his National Strategy for the Recruitment of Lay Magistrates. One of the key aims of this strategy is to recruit magistrates from under-represented groups, including those from working class communities, and by doing so to improve the diversity of local benches. A more accurate way of determining the socio-economic balance of the bench, and of applicants, has been put in place. Various recruitment initiatives are being tried, including targeting community and social groups, local employers and trade union organisations. A regional bus advertising campaign began on 3 November highlighting the need for magistrates from all walks of life. The local Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace actively attempt to recruit from underrepresented sectors by approaching relevant special interest groups and advertising in community and trade media.