§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the proportions of(a) judges, (b) Queen's counsel, (c) other members of the Bar and (d) pupil barristers who are (1) women, (2) black, (3) Asian and (4) of other ethnic minority origin. [53587]
§ Mr. HoonThe tables show the figures for women and those believed to be of the different ethnic origins requested for judges, Queen's Counsel and other members of the Bar. The figures for the ethnic origin of judges are believed to be correct, but as the ethnic origin of candidates for judicial office was not sought before October 1991, the data may be incomplete. There are no detailed figures available about pupil barristers. The Bar Council has estimated that 46 per cent. of pupils and "squatters" are women and 13 per cent. of pupils and "squatters" are of ethnic minority origin.
probably be disbanded in the next 12 months. Their functions will have been transferred to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee.
The Civil Procedure Rule Committee and the Civil Justice Council, which were both provided for by the previous Administration's Civil Procedure Act 1997, were set up after 1 May 1997.
Non-departmental public bodies are listed in the Cabinet Office publication 'Public Bodies'. Other than the General Commissioners of Income Tax, the tribunals listed under this Department in the edition published for 1997 are no longer classified as non-departmental public bodies. They are still in existence, but as part of the Court Service Agency.