LORD CHANCELLOR'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND MERIT

Early day motion 820, tabled 20 October 2005 by Keith Vaz (Labour). Signed by 36 members.

That this House congratulates the Lord Chancellor on his decision to select Baroness Prashar as the first Chairperson of the new Judicial Appointments Commission; notes that out of the eight Commissioners, four are women and two are from ethnic minorities; commends these appointments as a sign of the increasing recognition that both merit and diversity are important factors in judicial appointments; and urges other Ministers to use the power of appointment to select people on merit who are also from diverse backgrounds.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 9, Conservative 1, Respect 1, UUP 1.