§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received(a) regarding the need for more training for judges in handling child witnesses, particularly in cases of alleged child abuses, and (b) suggesting the exclusion of certain judges from sitting on cases involving child witnesses particularly in cases of child abuse. [7173]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansIn the past year, the Lord Chancellor received one representation specifically on judicial training in handling child witnesses, from the shadow Minister for children and the family. Other representations primarily on other matters may also refer to judicial training, but to collate information on these would incur disproportionate cost. Two representations to exclude certain judges from sitting in such cases were considered by the Lord Chancellor in the same period, one of which was made by the hon. Member. To collate the information requested over an extended period of time would incur disproportionate cost.