§ Lord Davies of Leekasked Her Majesty's Government:
What efforts are made to increase the number of people from the ethnic minorities appointed to the lay magistracy to represent the large numbers of people of Asian or Afro-Caribbean origin living in towns and cities throughout the United Kingdom.
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)The appointment of magistrates in England and Wales rests with the Lord Chancellor and the Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster. Advisory Committees for the various geographical areas make annual recommendations regarding new appointments to the magisterial benches within their respective areas. Speaking generally, the criteria in order of importance are (i) personal suitability for judicial work (ii) balance between the various components of the local community and (iii) experience in voluntary, community or public work. In areas where ethnic minorities exist to a significant extent ethnic organisations are approached by Secretaries and invited to submit names. A national press notice drawing attention to the procedure was published earlier this year in seven ethnic minority daily or weekly papers.