§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeal committee chairmen are(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities, (c) solicitors or former solicitors and (d) barristers or former barristers; what is the total number of chairmen; and if he will make a statement. [79803]
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§ Angela EagleThere are currently 686 full and part-time chairmen of tribunals working for the Independent Tribunal Service; 209 are women.
The Independent Tribunal Service monitors ethnicity on a regular basis. Chairmen are not compelled to provide information on their ethnic origins and, therefore, full and detailed records are not available. However, available records show that 28 chairmen are from ethnic minorities.
All chairmen are required to hold legal qualifications. Information is not available to indicate the split between solicitors and banisters (and advocates in Scotland). This information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. All chairmen are appointed by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor in consultation with the Lord Advocate. Appointments are made on merit in accordance with the Lord Chancellor's Department's equal opportunities policies.