asked Her Majesty's Government:What they intend to do to ensure that appointments to the professional judiciary and as Queen's Counsel are made fairly and on merit and that there are proper safeguards in the appointments procedures against discrimination on the grounds of race or gender. [HL3908]

I have appointed Sir Leonard Peach, until recently Commissioner for Public Appointments and currently Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland and a Civil Service Commissioner, to provide a report to me on the operation of the appointments procedures in relation to all Judicial and Queen's Counsel appointments and in particular to advise on:

• The appropriateness and effectiveness of (a) the criteria and (b) the procedures for selecting the best candidates;
• The extent to which candidates are assessed objectively against the criteria for appointment; and
• The existence of safeguards in the procedures against discrimination on the grounds of race or gender.

Sir Leonard Peach will also make recommendations, as appropriate, to me for further developments in the selection procedures for Judicial and Queen's Counsel appointments. In preparing his report, Sir Leonard Peach will have full access to all aspects of the appointments process and members of the legal profession and judges will be among those he will consult.