§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the approximate shortfall in magistrates available to the Doncaster Bench. [26309]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe current strength of the Doncaster Bench is 185 and the most recent annual average number of sittings is 43. This is marginally over the Lord Chancellor's desired upper level of 40 sittings to achieve which it is estimated that a further 17 lay magistrates would be required.