HC Deb 06 March 2002 vol 381 cc405-6W
Jean Corston

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will make a

Core funding Funding allocated (£)
2as 1 150,000
Totnes Family Partnership 58,000
Somerset Family Partnership 50,000
Family Matters York 50,000
The Lesbian and Gay Foundation 48,000
Muslim Women's Helpline 20,000
The Salvation Arm 40,000
Aquila Care Trust 88,000
Project for Advocacy, Counselling and Education 46,000
Basic For Life 34,000
The Cogwheel Trust 4,000
Poole Community Family Trust 50,000
CFP Guildford 40,000
Bristol Community Family Trust 50,000
Total 4,139,000

statement on the success of the scheme run in conjunction with Operation Black Vote and piloted in Bristol, East which enables members of the ethnic minority community to spend time shadowing magistrates on the Bristol and Northavon circuit. [40351]

Mr. Wills

Bristol is one of seven areas piloting the magistrates shadowing scheme that my Department is running in conjunction with Operation Black Vote. The other areas are Birmingham, Bradford, Cardiff, Inner London, Middlesex and Oldham. It is a little too soon for me to be able to make a general statement on the success of the scheme. A full evaluation of the pilots is due to take place in the summer once all the pilots have been completed. The Lord Chancellor and I have been struck by the enthusiasm of the participants in Bristol and other pilot areas. I hope that participants will go out into their communities and explain and promote the role of magistrates, and so encourage more people from ethnic communities to put themselves forward for appointment.