To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) Sheriffs and (b) Under Sheriffs are (i) women and (ii) from minority ethnic communities; and if he will make a statement. [129318]

Of the 51 High Sheriffs in England and Wales that the Privy Council is responsible for appointing (that is, excluding Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cornwall) 16 (31 per cent.) are women. The responsibility for appointing Under Sheriffs lies with High Sheriffs, and the Privy Council has no responsibility for them. Information on the ethnic background of nominees for High Sheriff is not supplied to the Privy Council. Appointment panels have now been set up, in all areas, and they have been asked to ensure that the pool from which nominees are drawn includes people from as wide a variety of backgrounds as possible.