HC Deb 31 January 1994 vol 236 c529W
42. Mr. Cohen

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to broaden the social background of(a) judges and (b) barristers.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The Lord Chancellor's policy is to appoint to judicial office entirely on merit those members of the legal profession who satisfy the relevant statutory conditions for appointment and are best qualified to fill the posts. However, the Bar is an independent profession and the selection of prospective barristers is therefore a matter for the Bar Council and not an area in which the Government can directly intervene.