§ Tom CoxTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many lay magistrates there are in the Greater London area; and how many vacancies for lay magistrates there are. [178685]
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§ Mr. LeslieOn 14 June 2004 there were 3,109 lay magistrates in the Greater London area. During the course of the year Advisory Committees determine the number of vacancies they are seeking to fill as part of their annual recruitment exercise. Figures are not yet available for 2004–05. However, in the 12 months leading up to April this year Committees reported that they were seeking to fill 194 vacancies in the Greater London area.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what information is requested from those appointed as magistrates concerning their(a) religion and (b) membership of organisations. [179348]
§ Mr. LeslieThe application form for potential recruits to the magistracy does not contain any question about the religion of candidates. Applicants are asked to specify what organisations and clubs they belong to and what time commitment each requires. They are also asked, for monitoring purposes, whether or not they are freemasons.