§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Attorney-General how many women judges are currently appointed; and what was the percentage of women judges for each of the last 10 years appointed to the High Court and equivalent in criminal cases.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThere are currently 22 women judges—4.3 per cent.—out of a total of 517 High Court and circuit judges. High Court and circuit judges are not generally assigned exclusively to criminal or civil work and most sit in the Crown Court at some time. Figures for appointments to the High Court and circuit bench over the last 10 years are as follows:
Numbers appointed Women appointed Percentage 1981 23 1 4.3 1982 28 — — 1983 31 2 6.5 1984 35 — — 1985 35 2 5.7 1986 59 3 5.1 1987 29 — — 1988 44 1 2.3 1989 39 1 2.6 1990 41 4 9–8 11991 15 2 13.3 1 To 17 April.