Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 June 2000 to the hon. Member for North-West Leicestershire (Mr. Taylor),Official Report, column 168W, if he will estimate the number of trials heard in magistrates courts by (a) lay benches and (b) stipendiary magistrates, including acting and deputy stipendiaries, for each of the last five years. [130196]
§ Jane KennedyA breakdown of trials heard in magistrates courts(a) by lay benches and (b) by stipendiary magistrates, including acting and deputy stipendiaries, is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.