§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what factors underlay his decision not to proceed with the establishment of a judicial appointments commission. [20377]
§ Mr. HoonIn the light of the other substantial priorities facing the Department, including the very heavy workload connected with legal aid and civil justice reforms, my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has decided not to proceed with further work on a possible Commission but to concentrate on making those changes he regards as most urgent in the existing system. He has decided to act directly to improve the openness. flexibility and effectiveness of the judicial appointments process. New measures include the presentation of an annual report to Parliament on the operation of the judicial appointments system (the first report will cover the period 1998–99).