§ Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Attorney-General (1) if he will list all of the (a) oral and (b) verbal questions which the Lord Chancellor requires to be put to applicants for the magistracy;
(2) what is the status of the question that the Lord Chancellor requires to be put to applicants for the magistracy; and whether candidates may refuse to answer, either in writing on the applications form or verbally at interviews, questions relating to political views, or religious beliefs or other contenitous matters.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe only questions which the Lord Chancellor requires to be put to candidates for the magistracy are those contained in the application form, a copy of which is in the Library. I draw the attention of the hon. Member to replies which I gave on 30 January 1984 at column20 and 9 February 1984, at column 681 which make it clear that a candidate is not obliged to give any information which he does not wish to disclose. Any information provided is treated in confidence and used only for appointment purposes.