Written question asked by Claire Ward (Labour) on Thursday, 1 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 March 2001. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Thursday, 8 March 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of places on lay observers' panels are not filled; what the (a) gender and (b) ethnic breakdown is for members of lay observers' panels in England and Wales in each of the last five years. - Inc figures.

Answer: Ms Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of places on lay observers' panels are not filled; [152593] (2) what the (a) gender and (b) ethnic breakdown is for members of lay observers' panels in England and Wales in each of the past five years. [152594] Mr. Charles Clarke: As at 1 March 2001 the eight Lay Observers Panels covering all of England and Wales had a total of 169 members. There were also 12 vacancies. The membership comprises 122 males and 47 females. 10 Lay Observers are from the minority ethnic communities. Of these eight are of Afro/Caribbean background and the remaining two are Asian. Historical data about the composition of the Lay Observers Panels is not kept and it is not possible to provide information in respect of the years 1997 to 2000.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 364 c322W; 152593;152594
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Gender Ethnic groups Police custody Wales Vacancies Police stations Lay Observers
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk