§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Attorney-General how many stipendiary magistrates there were in April 1988; what is the current position; what is the number of new stipendiary magistrates who have been appointed on a part-time or shared basis since the beginning of April 1988; whether they operate in several courts; what steps he intends to take to ensure that the commitment of lay magistrates is not reduced by their relegation to adjudication on a restricted range of routine offences; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralOn 1 March 1988 there were 63 stipendiary magistrates, including 14 in the provinces. On 1 March 1991 there will be 68 stipendiary magistrates, including 19 in the provinces. No stipendiary magistrates have been appointed on a part-time or shared basis since 1 April 1988; however for particular reasons, such as to avoid delays, most stipendiaries sit from time to time outside their own commission areas and suitably qualified lawyers are appointed to act as stipendiaries in various courts as required.
Stipendiary magistrates are asked to deal with the whole range of cases coming before the magistrates courts. They are there to support lay magistrates, not to supplant them.