§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions(a) he and (b) his officials have had since 27 March 1998 concerning the Lord Chancellor (Tenure of Office) (Amendment) Bill [Lords] 1998; if he will make a statement on the statutory provisions concerning disbarment from holding the position of Lord Chancellor as it affects (i) Jews, (ii) Muslims, (iii) Buddhists and (iv) members of other non-Christian religions; and what steps he proposes to ensure there is no religious requirement in (a) holding the office of Lord Chancellor and (b) carrying out the functions of Lord Chancellor.[99810]
§ Jane Kennedy[holding answer 26 November 1999]: The Lord Chancellor and his officials have held preliminary discussions with the promoter of the Lord Chancellor (Tenure of Office) (Amendment) Bill, the noble Lord Alderdice, and his advisers. The purpose of the discussions is to consider how legislation could provide for alternative arrangements to be made in the event of a Lord Chancellor considering that it was not proper for him or her personally to exercise ecclesiastical functions attached to the office of Lord Chancellor. The discussion follows proposals made during the debates on the Bill which Lord Alderdice introduced last year.
£ April 19961 January 1997 January 1998 January 1999 Outside London Franchisees Preparation 46.00 47.29 48.85 50.02 Advocacy 57.75 59.37 61.33 62.80 Attendance at Court 31.50 32.38 33.45 34.25 Travelling and waiting 25.50 26.21 27.08 27.73 Routine letters and telephone calls 3.55 3.65 3.77 3.86 Non-Franchisees Preparation 44.75 46.00 47.52 48.66 Advocacy 56.50 58.08 60.00 61.44 Attendance at Court 30.50 31.35 32.39 33.17 Travelling and waiting 24.75 25.44 26.28 26.91 Routine letters and telephone calls 3.45 3.55 3.66 3.75 London area Franchisees Preparation 48.50 49.86 51.50 52.74 Advocacy 57.75 59.37 61.33 62.80 Attendance at Court 31.50 32.38 33.45 34.25 Travelling and waiting 25.50 26.21 27.08 27.73 Routine letters and telephone calls 3.70 3.80 3.93 4.02 Non-franchisees Preparation 47.25 48.57 50.18 51.38 Advocacy 56.50 58.08 60.00 61.44 Attendance at Court 30.50 31.35 32.39 33.17 Travelling and waiting 24.75 25.44 26.28 26.91 Routine letters and telephone calls 3.60 3.70 3.82 3.91 1 Hourly rates for legal aid work in the Magistrates Courts were last raised in April 1996 and these are therefore the existing rates.