HL Deb 06 July 2004 vol 663 cc75-6WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Filkin on 15 June (WA 61–62) whether the personal information requested is in the Lord Chancellor's possession; and, if so, why is it not being released, considering that the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission will be required by statute to publish such information. [HL3461]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Lord Filkin):

It would not be appropriate for the Lord Chancellor to release personal information held in relation to individual members of the judiciary or statistical information from which the identity of any person could be readily ascertained.

Under Schedule 2 to the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002, the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission will be required to ensure that information published must not identify any person or include information from which the identity of any person could be readily ascertained.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Filkin on 15 June (WA 61–62) whether the senior judiciary in Northern Ireland is reflective of the community there; if so, when it became reflective of the community; and, if it is not, when they expect the senior judiciary to reflect the community in Northern Ireland; and

[HL3462]

Whether Roman Catholics are under-represented or over-represented in the senior judiciary in Northern Ireland, distinguishing between the posts of Lord Chief Justice, Lord Justices of Appeal and High Court judges. [HL3481]

Lord Filkin:

The reflectiveness of the senior judiciary is not monitored.