HC Deb 13 February 1998 vol 306 cc400-1W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the greatest number of unsuccessful applications made for silk by a barrister in the last 10 years. [28500]

Mr. Hoon

According to departmental records, the greatest total number of unsuccessful applications made by a barrister who has applied in the last ten years is twenty five.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the shortest time a barrister has practised at the bar before taking silk in the last 10 years. [28502]

Mr. Hoon

According to departmental records the shortest time that a barrister has practised at the bar in the last ten years before taking silk is thirteen years.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many High Court judges had their applications for silk rejected at their(a) first, (b) second and (c) third attempt. [28506]

Mr. Hoon

Of the ninety seven High Court Judges currently in post, nineteen had their first application for silk rejected, six had their second application rejected and two had their third application rejected. Nine High Court Judges did not take Silk.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the greatest number of applications for silk made by an individual who has taken silk in the last 10 years. [28501]

Mr. Hoon

According to our departmental records, the greatest number of applications made by an individual who has taken silk in the last ten years is fifteen.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the number of QCs who are non-practising. [28503]

Mr. Hoon

The Lord Chancellor's Department does not keep records of whether QCs are practising or non-practising, because the Lord Chancellor has no Ministerial responsibility for the practice of individual barristers.