HC Deb 25 June 2003 vol 407 cc859-60W
Mr. Dismore

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what plans he has to review court dress; and if he will make a statement. [120008]

Mr. Leslie

The consultation paper "Court Working Dress in England and Wales", published on 8 May 2003, is due to close on 14 August 2003. In its foreword Lord Irvine of Lairg wroteI hope this consultation exercise will encourage as high a response rate from members of the public as from legal professionals. I want to establish the extent to which court working dress impacts on public confidence, on court users and on the wider public esteem in which our courts are held, either positively or otherwise.

The paper is available on the official website of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

I am arranging for a copy of the paper to be sent to the hon. Member.