§ Mr. Vazasked the Attorney-General what information the Lord Chancellor's Department collects on the previous political activities, including standing for Parliament, of people being considered for appointment as High Court judges.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Lord Chancellor's policy is to appoint (or recommend for appointment) to every judicial post the candidate who appears to him best qualified to fill it and to perform its duties, regardless of political allegiance. In the course of considering candidates for appointment, information is often received from the candidate himself about his past and present political activities (including, for example, whether he has ever stood for Parliament) as part of the information he gives about his general background and interests.