HC Deb 07 July 1992 vol 211 cc91-2W
Mr. French

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applications have been made for the post of magistrate; and how many appointments have been made in each of the last five years.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The first part of the question cannot be answered without disproportionate cost. The numbers of appointments made by the Lord Chancellor for each of the last five years are:

Number
1991 1,687
1990 1,756
1989 1,687
1988 1,480
1987 1,213

Mr. French

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates have been relieved of their duties in each of the last five years owing to misconduct.

Mr. John M. Taylor

Prior to 1989, the records kept provide no differentiation between those who were removed on the grounds of misconduct and those removed on other grounds. However, the figures for each of the last three years are as follows:

Number
1991 10
1990 10
1989 7

Mr. French

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what criteria are used in the appointment of magistrates.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The criteria used in the appointment of magistrates are set out in the Lord Chancellor's "Directions for Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace" at pages 12 to 14. A copy of these directions is in the Library.

Mr. French

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many complaints are received each year concerning the conduct of magistrates.

Mr. John M. Taylor

During the period 1 May 1991 to 30 April 1992, a total of 70 conduct files were opened where complaints were received which, by nature of allegations made, could have involved possible disciplin-ary action by the Lord Chancellor.

Mr. French

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department to what extent political persuasion is taken into account in the selection of magistrates.

Mr. John M. Taylor

A candidate's political persuasion is neither a qualification nor disqualification for appointment. Political persuasion and other factors are taken into account in order to obtain, so far as possible, a bench which broadly reflects the area it serves.

Mr. French

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what training magistrates receive; and how many are deemed unfit for duty after they have been selected.

Mr. John M. Taylor

All newly appointed magistrates receive induction training totalling a minimum of 16 hours before they sit to adjudicate. This should be completed within three months after appointment. Following this, within 12 months after appointment they undertake the basic course—year one—comprising sitting in court to adjudicate with two experienced colleagues; visits to a local adult prison and a young offender institute, and an introduction to the probation service—totalling six hours; and a training course of 12 hours. The basic course continues in years two and three after appointment and may either take the form of four hours' training in each year or be combined into eight hours' training as a residential course. Further training takes the form of 12 hours' training in each three-year period thereafter. Members of the juvenile court—youth court from October 1992—and family panels, and chairmen of courts receive specialist training. No justice has been removed because he or she has failed to complete the training satisfactorily.