HL Deb 29 November 2001 vol 629 c61WA
Lord Carlile of Berriew

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the event of the district tier of criminal courts being created as recommended by Lord Justice Auld, measures would be introduced to reimburse magistrates for lost earnings to enable as wide a cross section of justices as possible to hear cases. [HL1348]

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)

Justices may already claim some compensation for loss of earnings. If the Government accept Lord Justice Auld's recommendation for a district division, it is not clear that a different kind of allowance would be needed. No decision will be taken on the recommendation for a district division until after the end of the period for public comment.