HC Deb 22 April 1999 vol 329 c675W
Mr. Dismore

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for this year's appointments to Queen's Counsel(a) the average and (b) the highest number of unsuccessful previous applications made by applicants. [81481]

Mr. Hoon

The average number of unsuccessful previous applications made by applicants for Queen's Counsel in 1999 was 3.7. The highest number of unsuccessful previous applications by an applicant for Queen's Counsel in 1999 was 26.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department for this year's appointments to Queen's Counsel(a) what was the total number of applications, (b) what was the number of successful applicants and (c) of (a) and (b), how many were (i) women, (ii) from ethnic minorities, (iii) below the age of 38 years, (iv) over the age of 50 years and (v) solicitors. [81482]

Mr. Hoon

For this year's silk round the figures were as follows:

  • Total number of applications: 553
  • Number of successful applicants: 69
  • Number of successful female silk applicants: 9
  • Number of successful ethnic minority applicants: 5
  • Number of successful applicants below the age of 38: 1
  • Number of successful applicants above the age of 50: 3
  • Number of successful solicitor applicants: 1.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for this year's appointments to Queen's Counsel(a) the highest figure and (b) the average figure given as the gross fee income (i) by successful applicants for Queen's Counsel, (ii) by unsuccessful applicants for Queen's Counsel and (iii) by all applicants for Queen's Counsel. [81483]

Mr. Hoon

The highest and average figure given as the gross fee income (i) by successful applicants for Queen's Counsel, (ii) by unsuccessful applicants for Queen's Counsel and (iii) by all applicants for Queen's counsel for this year's silk round were as follows:

£
Highest Average
Successful 550,000 224,304
Unsuccessful 790,000 165,897
All 790,000 173,184