§ Dr. CableTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the(a) ethnic background and (b) gender of (i) lay magistrates, (ii) stipendiary magistrates and (iii) recorders in (1) numerical and (2) percentage terms. [127144]
§ Jane KennedyThe following tables set out the ethnic background and gender of (i) lay magistrates (ii) stipendiary magistrates and (iii) recorders. The trends are changing, however. For example, the table shows that 4.5 per cent. of lay magistrates are of ethnic minority origin. In 1997 and 1998, however, 6.5 per cent. of new appointments were of ethnic minority origin and in 1999 7.6 per cent. of new appointments were of ethnic minority origin.
The information on lay magistrates is held on a relatively new database. The information on ethnic origin was taken from a survey conducted in 1997 and, since then, from declarations made by new appointees. The information held in the database has not yet been validated. It is expected that this will take place in the autumn.
Post Total Of ethnic minority origin Percentage Lay magistrates 25,917 1,157 4.5 Stipendiary magistrates 96 2 2.1 Acting stipendiary magistrates 146 4 2.7 Recorders 1,352 35 2.6 326W
Post Total Male Female Lay magistrates 25,917 13,218 (51.0%) 12,699 (49.0%) Stipendiary magistrates 96 82 (85.4%) 14 (14.6%) Acting stipendiary magistrates 146 121 (82.9%) 25 (17.1%) Recorders 1,352 1,188 (87.9%) 164 (12.1%)
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates have been recommended for removal from sitting on the bench by a local advisory committee and how many have been removed in each of the last three years. [127146]
§ Jane KennedyNo information is kept on the number of recommendations for removal received from Advisory Committees. In each of the last three years the numbers of magistrates removed from the bench were as follows:
Year Number 1997 13 1998 11 1999 15
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what information he collates on the number of magistrates referred to local advisory committees for failing to attain required competencies. [127145]
§ Jane KennedySince the Magistrates New Training Initiative came into force in 1998 there have been no such referrals.