§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions in 1993 scheduled individual sittings of separate courts6W within the Snaresbrook crown court complex have been unable to sit due to the absence of a judge or recorder; what was the specific reason for each such cancellation; what was the date of the maximum number of cancellations occurring on any single day; and what was the estimated cost to public funds on that day, and the total for the year so far.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe information requested is not readily available; I will reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what method of funding is used to ensure that posts of judge and recorder for crown courts are filled; and what action is being taken to ensure that scheduled court sittings are not cancelled due to absence of a judge or recorder.
Mr. John M. TaylorJudges in the crown court are paid direct from the Consolidated Fund and not via the departmental vote ensuring that sufficient funds are available to meet their salaries. The departmental vote includes moneys to pay the fees of recorders and assistant recorders. The budget received by the court service is based on the planned number of sitting days for recorders and assistant recorders. Scheduled sittings are based upon the known availability of judges, recorders and assistant recorders. In the event of a judge, recorder or assistant recorder being unavailable for a scheduled sitting every attempt is made to book a member of the part-time judiciary.