§ Lord Mayhew of Twysdenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have a policy on whether to recommend to Her Majesty the Queen that an applicant who is a Member of the House of Commons shall be appointed to the rank of Queen's Counsel; and, if so, what that policy is. [HL3445]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)The policy is that all appointments to the rank of Queen's Counsel are on merit alone. The criteria for appointment are set out in theGuide for Applicants and in the Guide for Consultees. The current guides have been available by post and on the department's website since 28 August 2001.