HL Deb 14 July 1992 vol 539 cc18-9WA
Lord Colnbrook

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they intend to publish information pursuant to Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

Earl Ferrers

Under Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 the Government are required to publish each year information to enable those engaged in the administration of criminal justice to become aware of the financial implications of their decisions, and to assist them in the performance of their duty to avoid discrimination on the grounds of race, sex or any other improper ground.

To fulfil this requirement, we propose to publish in mid-September information on race and gender. In mid-October we propose to publish a third set of information on finance. In all three cases this material will he widely disseminated among the judiciary, stipendiary and lay benches and lawyers; and to members of the Crown Prosecution, magistrates' courts, police and probation services.

Copies of each of these publications will be placed in the Library.

The publications this year will provide broad brush information in respect of race, gender and finance issues. As required by Section 95 of the Act, we will publish further material on these subjects on an annual basis. In the light of comments from the recipients of this year's information. and of improvements in our own monitoring arrangements, future publications will add more detail.