§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will take action to ensure that half of all rape cases are heard before female judges.
Mr. John M. TaylorRape cases are heard before High Court judges and designated senior circuit judges. The allocation of all business in the Crown court is a judicial function, carried out in accordance with directions issued by the Lord Chief Justice and presiding judges, and is not a matter in which I may intervene.