APPOINTMENT OF FIRST BLACK HIGH COURT JUDGE

Early day motion 1606, tabled 7 September 2004 by Keith Vaz (Labour). Signed by 51 members.

That this House congratulates Linda Dobbs QC and welcomes the announcement of her appointment as a High Court judge; acknowledges that she is the first person from an ethnic minority to reach the High Court Bench; supports furthermore, the Government's initiative to open all judicial posts on the circuit bench and below to part-timers to make the path to the bench easier for women; and congratulates the Lord Chancellor on his decision to appoint Ms Dobbs, a decision which did not involve deliberations by an Appointments Commission.

Signatures by party: Labour 36, Liberal Democrat 5, Labour/Co-operative 4, UUP 3, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1.