Queen's Counsel

HC Deb 03 July 2002 vol 388 c439W

Keith Vaz

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many persons applied to take silk in the last five years; and what percentage were successful. [64831]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The table shows the total number of applicants for silk in the last five years and the percentage of total awards made (excluding Honorary Silk):

	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Total applicants	511	553	506	456	429
Total award1	60	69	78	77	113
Percentage of applicants granted the award of Queen's Counsel	11.74	12.48	15.4	16.9	26.3
1Excl. Honorary Silk

Keith Vaz

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when feedback is given to persons who apply for silk who are not successful. [64833]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Applicants who have been unsuccessful in their application for silk may receive feedback at any time following publication of the list of successful candidates.