§ Mr. GunnellTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to hold elections for any judicial posts.
Mr. John M. TaylorNone. The Government do not believe that election would provide a suitable basis for appointment or be compatible with the principle of judicial independence. The Lord Chancellor's proposals for developments in the judicial appointments system were set out in a recent consultation paper. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to him on 4 July,Official Report, column 1.