To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations she has received from magistrates on administrative changes in the types of cases heard in particular courts in the 2006-07 financial year. (112574)

I regularly meet magistrates to discuss a broad range of criminal, civil and family justice issues.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent changes there have been in the level of training offered to magistrates; what assessment she has made of the effect of the lack of training offered to magistrates on defendants’ rights under the Human Rights Act 1998; and if she will make a statement. (112575)

A minimum level of training for magistrates is agreed annually between the Judicial Studies Board and Her Majesty’s Courts Service. There has been no significant change in this minimum requirement recently.

All magistrates, and their legal advisers who advise them on the appropriate legislation and case law in individual cases, were trained in the provisions of the Human Rights Act before it came into force on 2 October 2000. Since then, the Act has been part of domestic UK law, so its provisions are always considered and where appropriate incorporated in the preparation and delivery of magistrates’ training. There have been no indications that insufficient training is being provided to magistrates on human rights.