§ Ms. EagleTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to ensure an equal representation of women on the Bench.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe Lord Chancellor's policy is to appoint to judicial office those best qualified, regardless of sex, ethnic origin, political affiliation or religion. Without prejudice to this overriding principle, the Lord Chancellor has stressed publicly, and will continue to do so, that he would like to see more female legal practitioners who are suitably qualified appointed to the judiciary. The composition of the judiciary at any one time must inevitably reflect the composition of the legal profession within the relevant categories of age and seniority, but, as the proportion of women at these levels in the profession increases, so this is likely to be reflected on the Bench. Two women have been appointed to the High Court Bench this year and women are being appointed in greater numbers at other levels of the judiciary. The Lord Chancellor has ensured appropriate flexibility, for example related to women who have taken career breaks. He has asked that women candidates be included, wherever possible, in the list of those under consideration for appointment. He has co-operated with the Bar in research into sex equality at the Bar and in the judiciary, and will be studying the resultant findings and recommendations. Women represent 45 per cent. of the lay magistracy and the Lord Chancellor's aim is to achieve equality of sittings between male and female magistrates.