§ 70. Mr. Watkinsonasked the Attorney-General if he will now consider initiating training schemes which will be compulsory for all judges both before and during the tenure of their office.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo. It has been the practice for several years to invite 85W newly-appointed judges and recorders to attend conferences and courses which provide for the study of sentencing problems and developments in the treatment of offenders, including visits to penal institutions of all kinds. My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor does not consider that there is any need for compulsory schemes of the kind suggested so far as the professional judiciary is concerned. Lay magistrates already undergo compulsory training on their appointment.