§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement as to the change in arrangements concerning the advertising of vacant posts in the judiciary. [61844]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonMy noble and learned Friend, the Lord Chancellor, is committed to a system of judicial appointments that is fair to applicants and ensures that vacancies are filled promptly by candidates who best meet the published criteria. To this end, he published a consultation paper in April of this year on ways in which the selection procedures for the Circuit Bench and Recordership might be restructured or streamlined. Competitions for these appointments in 2002–03 have identified more suitable candidates than there are vacancies. The competitions for these appointments that would normally have begun in April 2002 have therefore been suspended for between six and 18 months. Any new vacancies that arise during this period will be made from reserve lists.
Similarly, in respect of the High Court Bench, there are many suitable candidates remaining from the 2000 selection round. Very few vacancies are expected over the next year. In the circumstances it would be both inappropriate and impracticable to mount a full scale recruitment exercise. The Lord Chancellor has, however, decided that people with appropriate judicial experience should not be denied the opportunity to be considered for these vacancies. Some 2000 holders of judicial office have therefore been invited to express interest in these appointments.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of(a) judges, (b) recorders and (c) assistant recorders are (i) women and (ii) non-white Caucasian. [61859]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonAs at 1 May 2002 all 107 High Court judges were of white origin, six of whom were women. The following table provides information on the Circuit Bench, District Bench and Recorders as at I May 2002. It shows the total number, the number and proportion of women judges and those judges who have stated on an ethnic monitoring questionnaire that they are of white origin. Applicants and part-time judges whose appointments have been renewed are asked to complete a questionnaire about their ethnic origin, but they are not obliged to do so. Many of those who have been appointed for some years will not have been asked to complete 711W an ethnic origin questionnaire. The post of Assistant Recorder was abolished in April 2000 an all Assistant Recorders became Recorders.
Total Women Have stated they are of white origin
Have not completed an ethnic origin questionnaire
Circuit judges 610 57 350 253 Percentage 9.3 57.4 Recorders 1,324 162 1,185 100 Percentage 12.2 89.5 District judges 435 80 240 183 Percentage 18.4 55.2 Deputy District judges 774 155 579 183 Percentage 20 74.8 District judges magistrates courts 103 20 89 11 Percentage 19.4 86.4 Deputy District judges magistrates courts 152 30 138 5 Percentage 19.7 90.8