To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reason members of the Volunteer Referral Order panel are disqualified from serving in that capacity for more than six years; and if he will make a statement. (220806)

The tenure of volunteer youth offender panel members is currently limited to a maximum period of six years; an initial three year period which can then be extended to a maximum of six. These terms are set out in “Referral Orders and Youth Offender Panels—Guidance for courts, Youth Offending Teams and Youth Offender Panels” issued jointly by the Home Office, Lord Chancellor’s Department and the Youth Justice Board in February 2002. This guidance is currently being reviewed and the matter of tenure for volunteer youth offender panel members is being considered as part of this review. In the interim volunteer panel members may have their service extended by a further year. The review is expected to be completed this autumn.