Judges (Hansard, 17 March 1994)

§ Mr. Redmond
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many judges were educated at independent schools; and what proportion this is of the total in England.

Mr. John M. Taylor
Aggregated information relating to the schools attended by judges is not readily available.

§ Mr. Redmond
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what statistics he has of the political allegiance of judges in England.

Mr. John M. Taylor
Statistics are not kept on political affiliation. Judges are appointed without regard to political affiliation and members of the full-time judiciary may not engage in political activity.

§ Mr. Redmond
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average number of hours per week a judge works in court.

Mr. John M. Taylor
This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. Allen
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he has taken to758W implement (a) the progressive introduction of open advertisements for some judicial vacancies and (b) other reform measures he advocated in his Department's press notice 158.93 of 7 July 1993 on improvements in the judicial appointments system; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John M. Taylor
In his speech to Her Majesty's Judges at the Guildhall on 7 July 1993 the Lord Chancellor said that because of the wide range of issues involved and the extensive preparatory work which his programme would entail, it would be some time before all the measures could be introduced over the whole field of judicial appointments. That work is currently in progress, and an announcement will be made as soon as practicable.

§ Mr. Redmond
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates in England have declared political allegiances; and if he will provide an analysis.

Mr John M. Taylor
This information can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to allow those whose applications to become magistrates are rejected to know the reasons for their rejection.

Mr. John M. Taylor
No proposals are required. Candidates are informed of the result of their applications and it is open to anyone not satisfied to seek further reasons from the local advisory committee. The desirability of balancing benches in terms of age, gender, ethnic origin, political affiliation and occupation means that many otherwise suitable applicants are not appointed.

§ Mr. Redmond
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what considerations underlie the requirement on prospective magistrates to state their political allegiances.

Mr. John M. Taylor
The Lord Chancellor does not wish that any bench should become, or remain, unduly overweighted with the supporters of any one political party. It is for this reason that political allegiances are sought, but they are not a qualification or disqualification for appointment and candidates are not required to disclose this information. The key consideration for appointment is that a candidate should be suitable.