HC Deb 23 June 1997 vol 296 cc403-4W
Mr. Malins

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many clerks and deputy clerks to justices there are in England and Wales; and how many of these are qualified solicitors or banisters. [5037]

Mr. Hoon

According to records held by the Justices Clerk Society there are 204 justices clerks in England and Wales. All are qualified banisters or solicitors. There are around 230 people who are designated as deputies for justices clerks. Of these some 30 are neither banisters nor solicitors.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if it is his practice to ensure that lay magistrates always sit with clerks who are qualified as solicitors or barristers. [5039]

Mr. Hoon

Under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997, magistrates courts are local managed. Decisions on which clerk advises which bench are therefore taken locally. The qualifications required of clerks in magistrates courts are set out in the Justices' Clerks (Qualification of Assistants) Rules 1979.