§ Lord Tebbitasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is their view that an increase in the number of black, Asian and female persons and persons of different sexual orientation would improve the overall quality of the judiciary. [HL3754]
§ The Lord ChancellorThe principle of appointment on merit is central to the judicial appointments process. Those appointed should be those who are best qualified for the job, irrespective of gender, ethnic origin or sexual orientation, However, it is important to be able to make appointments from the widest possible pool of applicants, and the judicial appointments process should seek to bring forward the 119WA most talented candidates for appointment from the diverse groups within our society. A judiciary which better reflects the diversity of the population it serves will enhance public confidence in the justice system. The creation of a judicial appointments commission will provide a fresh opportunity to look at the ways in which the appointments processes work.