HC Deb 10 July 2001 vol 371 cc504-6W
James Purnell

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor will appoint a judicial appointments commissioner to oversee judicial appointments in Northern Ireland. [3616]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Pending a decision on the devolution of justice matters, which are expected matters under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, and which would require primary legislation, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has decided to subject the appointment of judges and silks in Northern Ireland to supervision and scrutiny by a Commissioner. The Lord Chancellor has consulted the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and others on the necessary adaptations to the model suggested by Sir Leonard Peach for England and Wales, and the post will be advertised in the press from tomorrow.

The early appointment of a Commissioner to audit, oversee and monitor all aspects of the existing appointments procedures is a practical step which will advance public confidence and provide strong reassurance about the integrity of the current system.

Mr. Caton

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what further progress the Lord Chancellor has made in establishing a commission to oversee judicial appointments and Queen's Counsel appointment procedures in England and Wales. [3615]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Professor Sir Colin Campbell was appointed as First Commissioner for Judicial Appointments by Order in Council made on 14 March 2001. He started work immediately on developing the Commission's roles of auditing the judicial appointments and Queen's Counsel appointment procedures and investigating individual complaints. Sir Colin and my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor are very keen to progress to the next stage in the establishment of the Commission, which will be the appointment of the first few Deputy Commissioners. There is also to be a

Commissioner for Judicial Appointments for Northern Ireland, who will additionally serve as a Deputy Commissioner in England and Wales. The posts will be advertised in the press from tomorrow, with a view to the appointments being made around the end of the year.