§ Lord GARDINERasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps have been taken to implement the Report of the Working Party on Judicial Studies and Information under the chairmanship of Lord Justice Bridge published in July 1978.
The LORD CHANCELLORAfter consultation with my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs and the Lord Chief Justice, I have accepted the main proposals of the report. The first essential measure, namely, the appointment of the Judicial Studies Board which will advise the Lord Chancellor on the scope, content and conduct of judicial study courses which newly appointed judges will be required in future to attend before sitting in the Crown Court, has now been completed. I have appointed Mr. Justice Tasker Watkins V.C. to be the Chairman of the Board, and the following persons to be members:
- His Honour Judge Leonard Q.C.
- Master D. R. Thompson C.B.
- Mr. Peter Webster Q.C.
- Mr. Jonathan Clarke
- Professor N. A. Jepson
- Dr. Roger Hood
- Sir Bryan Roberts K.C.M.G.
- Mr. A. J. E. Brennan
- Mrs. P. M. David J.P.
- Mr. B. J. Reason (Secretary)
The board, membership of which is unpaid, intends to hold its first meeting early in April.
House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before seven o'clock.