§ Dr. Winstanleyasked the Attorney-General what is the average age of the members of the agriculture land tribunals; what are the ages of the oldest and the youngest members of the tribunals, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members from the tribunals on grounds of age or incapacity.
The Attorney-GeneralThe average age of the legal chairmen and deputy chairmen of the agricultural land tribunals is 54. The oldest is 72 and the youngest 39.
Since the panels of lay members contain about 600 names, it would involve a disproportionate amount of work to ascertain their average age; the average age of a large sample of the lay members was, however, found to be 59. The oldest member is 70 and the youngest 31.
Under paragraph 13 of Schedule 9 to the Agriculture Act, 1947, as amended, the chairmen are appointed for a term of three years and are removable by the Lord Chancellor if incapacitated by infirmity of mind or body. There is no corresponding provision for the removal 169W of deputy chairman or lay members, but as they are simply members of panels they need not be invited to sit if they become incapacitated.