HC Deb 26 May 1994 vol 244 cc329-30W
Mr. Boateng

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellors Department what research his Department has done into the effectiveness of the Bar Councils decision in October 1991 to set a quota of two representatives of the ethnic minorities in each set of chambers; what percentage of chambers in(a) London and (b) the provinces have so far achieved this target; and what plans he has to assist the Bar Council in increasing these percentages.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The Lord Chancellors Department has not undertaken any research into the effectiveness of the Bar Council's race equality policy, adopted in October 1991, which anticipated that at least 5 per cent. of all chambers membership would be barristers from ethnic minorities. This is a matter for the Bar Council.