§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Attorney-General what percentage of all magistrates are women; what percentage of magistrates appointed in each of the past 10 years have been women; what percentage of women magistrates are under the age of 40 years; what is the average age of magistrates; what is the average age of all women magistrates; and if he has any proposals to appoint more(a) women magistrates and (b) women magistrates under 40 years.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralAs at January 1991, in the Lord Chancellor's area of responsibility, women represented 45 per cent. of the total number of active lay magistrates. The percentage of women magistrates appointed in each of the past 10 years, rounded to the nearest point was as follows:
Per cent. 1981 42 1982 43 1983 45 1984 48 1985 44 1986 46 1987 51 1988 48 1989 49 1990 51 Approximately 4 per cent. of women magistrates are under the age of 40.
The average age of magistrates and the average age of all women magistrates, could only be ascertained at disproportionate cost.
The answer to whether there are any proposals to appoint more (a) women magistrates and (b) women magistrates under 40 years is yes.