§ Dr. CableTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the (i) ethnic and (ii) religious background of(a) lay magistrates, (b) stipendiary magistrates and (c) Recorders in (1) numerical and (2) percentage terms. [49953]
§ Mr. HoonThe table sets out the figures for the number and percentage of lay magistrates, stipendiary magistrates, acting stipendiary magistrates and recorders of ethnic minority origin. The figures for lay magistrates are based on a survey (excluding the Duchy of Lancaster) conducted in 1997 to which 94% of lay magistrates responded. The figures for the other judicial office holders are believed to be correct but because candidates for judicial appointments were not asked for information 277W about their ethnic origin before October 1991, the data may be incomplete. Candidates are not asked to provide details of their religious background.
Post Total Of ethnic minority origin Percentage Lay magistrates 25,124 1,026 4.1 Stipendiary magistrates 88 2 2.3 Acting Stipendiary magistrates 114 4 3.5 Recorders 836 13 1.5